Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister has pledged $213,000 for apprenticeship training at LiUNA 625's job training centre.
The union represents 2,000 labourers in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent.
The funding is for two projects; elevated bridgework, and utilities training. The first will get $118,000 to buy two hydro mobile mast climbing scaffolds, an articulating boom, a scissor lift, and a swing stage. The utilities training program will get $95,000 for the purchase of a trailer, a line locator, a compactor, a compaction metre, an excavator, and a Bobcat. The new equipment will help teach workers to safely conduct work on major construction projects, like the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
During her announcement, Chrystia Freeland emphasized the importance of a healthy middle class in protecting democracies.
"Around the world, we're observing a growing trend of authoritarian leaders who seek to undermine liberal democracy. This threat comes from outside posed by regimes actively seeking to undermine us with sophisticated, well-financed propaganda and espionage operations -- But, it also comes from inside as anti-democratic movements," she said. "Those kinds of movements are able to thrive in places where the middle class is hollowed out, where people who want to work hard, can't get a job."
A total of 990 apprentices across Canada will benefit from a $25 million investment, including 16 who appeared alongside Freeland at the local's headquarters in Oldcastle.
President John D’Agnolo updates Chrystia Freeland Federal Liberal Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Nemak worker’s. pic.twitter.com/ay88peb4bg
— Local 444 Unifor (@LOCAL444UNIFOR) September 9, 2019
Earlier in the day, Freeland met with Unifor officials in Windsor. Among the topics discussed, the expected demise of the third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant and the ongoing blockade at Nemak.
"There was a lot of conversation about Nemak," she told reporters. "I am very concerned about the situation. I think Nemak is making a big mistake turning its back on workers here in Windsor, and I would urge the company to sit down at the table and talk with the workers."
When asked what the federal government can do to resolve the dispute at Nemak, Freeland was reassuring but made no commitments.
"We are looking into that right now," she said. "We understand the seriousness of the issue of the situation, and we're working very intensively with local labour leaders."
Unifor officials are expected in a Windsor courtroom Tuesday to appeal a ruling by the Ontario Labour Relations Board which ordered an end to the week-old blockade.
Was pleased to spend some time with @SandraPupatello and @AudreyFesteryga today. Great to see two strong women candidates who are looking to turn the Windsor-Essex region red! pic.twitter.com/nTspzDm1gK
— Chrystia Freeland (@cafreeland) September 10, 2019
Freeland also took some time out of her visit to Windsor to meet with Liberal Party nominees in Windsor West and Essex, Sandra Pupatello and Audrey Festeryga. Both women are running against NDP incumbents in those ridings; Brian Masse in Windsor West and Tracey Ramsey in Essex.
So far, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not asked Governor General Julie Payette to dissolve the government, marking the start of the election campaign. Freeland could not tell reporters when he might, but said she, "could not wait."
The Liberal riding association in Windsor-Tecumseh has yet to chose its nominee.