Anti-Trump sentiment in the ‘epicentre of the tariff war’
Hello, I’m back in Windsor, Ont., reporting live on CBC News Network.
At the Back Road Cafe, not too far from the Stellantis car plant that will be idle come Monday, there was a table full of guys having breakfast after playing hockey this morning. Some were fathers, sons and friends who have been playing together for more than 20 years.
Rod Gillen said there’s a lot of confusion and angst in the city right now because of the impact of the U.S. tariffs on the auto industry here.
When I asked him what issues are important to him in this federal election, he said health care is one — but really, the overriding issue is the trade war.
“In Windsor, we’re in the epicentre of the tariff war, so I think for me, that’s the biggest factor. We need to try and resolve that,” Gillen said.
His teammate John Rosa, a dual Canadian-American citizen who crosses the border for work, said he’s an undecided voter. “You want someone with honesty and someone who is going to be a proud Canadian and fight for what we need and not what America needs,” said Rosa.
At a nearby table, retired autoworker Mary Guilbeault was sporting an “Elbows Up” pin that she made herself. “We’ve got to support our country. It’s a must,” she said.
On his way into the restaurant was Wayne Ferguson, also a retired autoworker, sporting a red “Canada Is Not For Sale” baseball cap. “Because I don’t like Trump,” he stated.
Lynda Ferguson is no fan of the U.S. president either, and wants Canada’s political leaders to take a strong stand. “I think they should give him everything they can … I have no problem with that,” she said, even if it means things will get more expensive in Canada with retaliatory tariffs.
Ferguson’s daughter works at the Stellantis plant, so she’s off work as of Monday, and Ferguson’s son and son-in-law work in the industry too. “All of them will be affected,” she said.
