New poll shows growing support for GM boycott

TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2019 /CNW/ - A growing number of Canadian consumers support an outright boycott of General Motors (GM) vehicles if the automaker does not reverse its plan to close the Oshawa assembly plant, according to an Ekos Research poll commissioned by Unifor.

"The fact that Canadian consumers are willing to punish GM with a complete boycott is exactly what we have been warning the company about for weeks," said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. "A widespread GM boycott would hurt Canadian and American workers who do not deserve to be casualties of GM's corporate greed and ongoing move of production to Mexico."

The poll concluded that GM's brand is at risk and closing the Oshawa plant could seriously impact sales.

The survey results found:

• 45 per cent of Canadians support an outright GM boycott.
• 26 per cent of Canadians say they would consider a GM boycott.
• 74 per cent of Canadians believe if GM must build in Canada if they want to sell here.
• 54 per cent of Canadians opinion of GM has worsened because of Oshawa announcement.
• 35 per cent approval rating of Trudeau government's performance on GM file.
• 31 per cent approval rating of Ford government's performance on GM file.

The poll also found that Canadians are clearly underwhelmed by the response by both levels of government in the wake of GM's announcement that will cost 24,000 jobs in Canada.

"Canadians expect their elected officials to fight to keep good jobs in Canada, not just accept the corporate line that it is simply a business decision while workers and the Canadian taxpayers who bailed out GM a decade ago are betrayed," said Dias.

For more information on the #SaveOshawaGM campaign visit SaveOshawaGM.ca.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 315,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future.

SOURCE Unifor