NUPGE calls for true leadership in face of Trump’s tariff threats and provocations

February 1 2025

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) calls upon all political parties and elected officials to set aside partisan gamesmanship and work together to address the serious economic threats posed by Donald Trump’s provocations and proposed tariffs against Canada. This pivotal moment demands strategic leadership to protect Canadians, all workers, industries, and the public services we all rely on.

“Clearly, these aren’t ordinary times, and they require extraordinary vision and leadership,” says NUPGE President Bert Blundon. “Trump’s actions are not just about trade – they strike at the heart of our values and our commitment to an equitable society. We’ve already seen how the rush to dismantle public services south of the border is sowing chaos. We cannot allow that playbook to succeed here, because we know what the consequences of such reckless policies are: job losses, weakened protections, concentration of wealth and power at the top, and increased hardship for everyone else.”

Blundon said that this moment requires substantive leadership as we face an unserious yet dangerous man. “It’s certainly not a time for political grandstanding or empty sloganeering. Canadians deserve governments that prioritize people over profits, and equity over division.”

NUPGE calls on all political leaders to speak unequivocally for Canada’s sovereignty, and to stand for equity and dignity for all. “We need courageous leadership from our political class, and a commitment to bringing Canadians together,” Blundon said.