Trudeau should consult workers on NAFTA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to be sure he looks at all aspects of the NAFTA trade agreement, particularly in the auto industry, which is very interconnected. There is a tremendous flow of goods in all aspects of the manufacturing industry going back and forth across the border.

I believe that he needs to pay particular attention to the unions in both countries that are interconnected. There are staunch allies within the labour movement who want to see jobs stay and come back to both Canada and the U.S.

If he is wise, Trudeau will consult with Leo Gerrard, a Canadian-born union member who cut his teeth with the United Steel Workers in the mining industry in northern Ontario.

He is a vice-president in the AFL-CIO. He speaks for some of the largest unions in both the U.S. and Canada and is a big supporter of the need to keep jobs in North America.

He has spoken out against jobs going to China and has been instrumental in retaining many jobs for both Canadian and U.S. workers.

I know Trudeau met industry leaders before his meeting, and we can hope he was smart enough to meet the workers’ representatives, as well, and draw from the wealth of knowledge that they have to retain jobs in North America.

If he didn’t do it before, let’s hope he does it after his visit with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Glenn White Shawnigan Lake