FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
29 January 2026
DURHAM, ON – Today, Stephanie Bowman, MPP for Don Valley West and Ontario Liberal Critic for Finance and Trade, and Rob Cerjanec, MPP for Ajax and Ontario Liberal Critic for Economic Development, issued the following statement regarding the layoffs at the GM Oshawa Assembly Plant:
“Our thoughts are with the 1,200 workers and their families, who woke up to the news that their jobs were being lost after a shift cut at the GM plant in Oshawa. This announcement is deepening the uncertainty across Ontario’s auto sector,” said MPP Stephanie Bowman.
“For generations, auto workers have been – and remain – the heartbeat of Durham Region, and this comes at a time when families are already under serious economic pressure,” said MPP Rob Cerjanec.
“With news of a shift cut coming in May of 2025, and no sign of President Trump cooling on his punitive tariffs, you have to wonder if there was more the government could have done to protect these jobs,” said Cerjanec.
“Ontario has benefited for decades from a world-class auto workforce, and governments have made significant public investments in GM. With that history comes a responsibility to stand with workers and make sure they are supported through this transition,” said MPP Stephanie Bowman. “Ford’s PC government has failed to ensure that these workers have jobs when their last shift is done. The government should have been more prepared.”
“At a moment like this, Ontario should be focused on strengthening its economic foundations by diversifying trade partners, attracting new businesses, and investing in innovation. That means real investment in research and development, colleges and universities, and advanced manufacturing so we can create good, home-grown jobs and long-term opportunity for communities like Oshawa,” Cerjanec said.
“This about more than making cars – it’s about families putting food on the table. “Ontario needs a plan for those families, and Doug Ford does not have one,” said Bowman.