
Getting youth interested in manufacturing crucial for future of Ontario sector: report
As local manufacturers grapple with the ongoing trade war with the U.S., they're also contending with another equally pressing issue — a rapidly aging workforce and an urgent need for new, trained workers.
A new report from Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), released Thursday, shows Ontario's manufacturing sector is set to lose 22,500 workers per year through 2033 from retirement.
It's an issue set to hit the London to Windsor corridor hard, where the sector employs tens of thousands of people, or nearly 16 per cent of all jobs.
Considered the heart of Canadian manufacturing, the corridor has faced ongoing labour shortages and challenges securing enough graduates in certain trades, CME says.
A projected drop in college enrolment numbers, driven by the federal cap on international study permits, will only exacerbate the problem, along with corresponding financial pressures and program cuts.
"We've had a difficult time getting new folks in and really getting (them) ready to be that productive, next-generation workforce," Dennis Darby, CME's president and CEO, told Afternoon Drive.
That next-generation workforce is needed not just to replace retirees but to fill new positions at new manufacturing expansions, including the EV battery plants in St. Thomas and Windsor.
It's critical, Darby says, to begin engaging students as early as Grade 6 and 7 about the possibility of entering careers in manufacturing.
"It's about not only ... how do we get kids to take the courses, like everything from mechanics to machinists to CNC operators, but also to upskill the workers we have," he said.
"We've got an awful lot of people that have been in the sector for years ... and we've got to constantly upskill, all because we're going to have to be more competitive."
The association makes several proposals, including improving incentives for employers to offer on-the-job training, and "addressing obstacles causing apprentices and students to abandon the sector."
It also suggests more be done to attract women, Indigenous people and immigrants to the sector.
It comes on the heels of a separate report from the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO).
Released Wednesday, the FAO report estimates U.S. tariffs and Canada's response could lead to an estimated 68,100 fewer jobs in Ontario this year, rising to 119,200 by next year.
The tariffs would impact southwestern Ontario cities and manufacturing hardest.
In the London area specifically, employment could fall 1.3 per cent in 2026, making it the fifth-most impacted Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) in Ontario, the FAO says.
Driven by reduced demand for Ontario exports, the province's real GDP growth would slow to 0.6 per cent, compared to 1.7 without tariffs. "This implies that a modest recession would occur in 2025," the report says.
Ontario's GDP would take the biggest hit from tariffs on motor vehicle parts, primary metals, and motor vehicle manufacturing.
The agency based its analysis on trade actions announced by Canada and the U.S. as of April 17.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance released Thursday said CUSMA-compliant auto parts would not face the 25 per cent auto part duties set to go into effect May 3. It's not clear what effect this would have on the FAO's projections.
Trump trying to 'break' the auto industry, says car parts association president
8 days ago
Duration 7:22
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that auto tariffs on Canada 'could go up.' Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, says Trump is 'trying to break the industry' and adds that Trump is not taking into account the jobs in the U.S. that depend on Canada's auto industry.
The trade war has eroded consumer confidence on both sides of the border, driving down demand for goods and services, said Fraser Johnson, a professor of operations management at Ivey Business School.
Johnson runs the Ivey Purchasing Managers Index, which measures the month-to-month variation in economic activity as indicated by a panel of purchasing managers from across Canada.
"We've seen a softening in terms of purchases, which is a leading economic indicator, and we've seen an escalation of prices over the last four months," he said.
"It presents the risk of stagflation, where we have slow economic growth and rising prices."
Small and medium-sized businesses are most vulnerable, he said.
Canada's real GDP shrank in February by 0.2 per cent, while in the U.S., the economy shrank at a 0.3 per cent annual pace from January through March, the first decline in three years.
Trade with the U.S. accounts for at least 77 per cent of the Ontario's total goods exports.
Nearly 940,000 jobs in Ontario, roughly one out of every nine, are U.S. export-related, many of them in manufacturing, the FAO said.
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Winnipeg Free Press
33 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Province adds $5M to Research Manitoba funding
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Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.


Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Cision Canada
Canada Nickel Announces Brokered Private Placement for up to C$8.0 Million in Gross Proceeds
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Each whole Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company (each, a " Warrant Share") at a price of C$1.20 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months after the Closing Date (as defined herein). The Company has granted to the Agents an option, exercisable in full or in part up to 48 hours prior to the Closing Date, to sell up to an additional 2,353,000 Units at the Offering Price for up to C$2,000,050 in additional gross proceeds. The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the Offering for the advancement of the Company's wholly owned Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Offering is scheduled to close on or around June 26, 2025 (the " Closing Date") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the listing of the Unit Shares and Warrant Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the " TSX-V"), and the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX-V and the applicable securities regulatory authorities. The Company shall pay to the Agents, on the Closing Date, a cash commission of 6.0% of the gross proceeds raised in respect of the Offering (the " Agents' Commission"). In addition, at the Closing, the Company shall issue to the Agents warrants of the Company (the " Broker Warrants"), exercisable for a period of 36 months following the Closing Date, to acquire in aggregate that number of common shares of the Company which is equal to 6.0% of the number of Units sold under the Offering at an exercise price equal to the Offering Price. The Units will be offered: (a) by way of private placement in all of the provinces of Canada pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements under applicable Canadian securities laws; (b) in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, by way of private placement pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements provided for under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " U.S. Securities Act"); and (c) in jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States on a private placement or equivalent basis, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws, provided that no prospectus, registration statement or other similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering to purchasers in Canada will be subject to a four-month hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units will be offered to purchasers outside of Canada pursuant to an exemption from the prospectus requirements in Canada available under OSC Rule 72-503 and, accordingly, the securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering to purchasers outside of Canada are not expected to be subject to a four-month hold period in Canada. The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Canada Nickel Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero Nickel TM, NetZero Cobalt TM, NetZero Iron TM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins Nickel District. For more information, please visit For further information, please contact: Mark Selby, CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: [email protected] Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "occur", or "be achieved". Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: structure and terms of the Offering, the anticipated closing date of the Offering, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, and approval of the Offering by the TSX-V. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the Company's properties, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, and failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
GUNTER: Carney Liberals build groundwork to blame pipeline failure on private sector
Prime Minister Mark Carney meets with all of Canada's premiers during the First Ministers' Meeting at TCU Place. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Monday, June 2, 2025. Photo by Michelle Berg / Postmedia You don't have to look far for proof that a cross-country pipeline is more of a pipedream. The usual suspects — Quebec, the federal cabinet, the B.C. government, Indigenous activists and environmentalists — are never going to consent to one being built, even if Prime Minister Mark Carney declares one to be in the national interest. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Already, if you look closely enough, the foundations are being laid to reject a new transnational pipeline and pin the blame on investors and the oil industry for lack of interest. Oh, sure. There's some good lip service toward boosting conventional oil and gas production. In late May, new Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson caused sighs of relief when he told the Calgary Chamber of Commerce that the Carney Liberals' energy policy 'begins with a vision: to build Canada into a conventional and clean energy and natural resources superpower.' Early on in his tenure as PM, Carney had given the clear impression he was in favour of expansion of oil and gas, maybe even the oilsands. Then the Liberal platform came out mid-campaign and gone was any reference to oil, gas or pipelines. It was only 'clean energy,' such as wind and solar, bug burps and Tibetans prayer wheels, or whatever other trendy 'green' energy sources have mesmerized 'progressives.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Even when Carney met with the 13 premiers last week, the oil-province premiers Danielle Smith of Alberta and Scott Moe of Saskatchewan left the summit believing there was a real chance a pipeline might make it onto the Liberal government's approved list of national-interest projects. Read More Forgive me for being a cynic or a pessimist but just look at what federal cabinet ministers and other premiers are saying now. Speaking Monday in Korea as part of a 10-day trade swing through Asia, B.C. Premier David Eby said its wasn't his government standing in the way of a pipeline to northwestern B.C. Rather, there's 'no proponent, no money and no project right now.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Like Justin Trudeau on LNG, Eby was saying there's 'no business case' for a new pipeline. The private sector has been scared off energy projects by politicians' and activists' obstructionism in the past decade. That won't change until governments re-establish credibility with pipeline companies that new projects have a decent chance being approved in a timely manner and, after approval, have a decent chance of being built without endless court challenges and protests. Otherwise, who's going to step forward with billions of dollars to risk? Remember that Justice Minister Sean Fraser said national projects could be built without full Indigenous buy-in, only to be forced by the prime minister's office to walk those words back less than 24 hours later, under pressure from the Assembly of First Nations and others. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Former environment minister (now heritage minister) Steven Guilbeault has been the most blunt. He has come right out and said there is no need for more pipelines because oil demand will soon begin declining, even though there is no proof of his claim. And Guilbeault's protege, current Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin, under questioning in the House of Commons on Monday, said while she had no definition of the 'consensus' that would be required to get a pipeline approved, 100 per cent would be a good place to start. Dabrusin would not commit to whether that meant provincial politicians and First Nations had vetoes, but the logic is not hard to follow. This is how the Trudeau government killed the Energy East pipeline — adding enough delays and regulatory changes that eventually TC Energy, the line's owner, withdrew. That allowed the federal Liberals to claim the pipeline's demise was a business decision, not a political one. And that's what I think we are being set up for now on a new East-West pipeline. The Carney government will claim to be in favour, but kowtow to special interests until investors shy away. Celebrity NHL Editorial Cartoons Toronto Maple Leafs Music