These are good jobs. These are union jobs with collective agreements negotiated to benefit the employer and the employees. This brings significant labour peace, which will ensure a predictable business model and more sustainable operations for both St. Thomas and Windsor. However, in Windsor, we aren't talking about 1,000 jobs, but 2,500 jobs, 1,000 of which have just been created. This is good news.
Given the high level of geopolitical tension and the fact that we live in a much more complex and dangerous world, the government's current challenge is to attract investment. It isn't easy. We must provide a number of guarantees to companies looking at the possibility of investing in the United States, Mexico or somewhere else in Europe or Asia. The Canadian government can use various economic development levers by offering money, subsidies and production incentives in order to reduce the risks for companies.
Concerning Stellantis, the government knew full well at the time that it had to find a way to offer this money in order to manage risks while protecting jobs. We knew that, even if we were negotiating in good weather, there might be bad weather ahead. That's what we did. I would add that we must continue to do so.
With this in mind, tomorrow's budget will focus on protecting jobs and building, but also on empowering people to access good jobs and create prosperity for their families.