Unifor's Dave Cassidy, former Magna CEO Don Walker to advise Ontario on manufacturing

Two heavyweights — one former and one current — in the Canadian auto industry have been named to Ontario’s new Advanced Manufacturing Council.

Retired Magna International CEO Don Walker and Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy, who represents thousands of hourly Stellantis workers in Windsor, Ont., where the automaker is also building a $5-billion electric-vehicle battery plant, are two of 10 members.

The advisory council’s role will be to advise the government of Ontario on how to “inform the strategy and provide input into” the province’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy, which was announced as part of the 2022 budget.

Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli says the council and strategy “will help boost the long‐term competitiveness and resilience of the manufacturing sector.”

Cassidy is the only member representing labour on the council. But, it’s not the first time the province has picked a Unifor representative for a similar role. 

Premier Doug Ford in 2021 selected then-Unifor President Jerry Dias for the Premier’s Council on U.S. Trade and Industry Competitiveness. 

Cassidy has been a member of Unifor’s national executive board since 2005. The union is currently ramping up for 2023 contract talks with the Detroit Three automakers, which, collectively, have five assembly plants, two engine plants and a transmission factory in Ontario.