Under Premier Doug Ford, Labour Minister David Piccini, and former labour minister Monte McNaughton, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives (PCs) assembled an effective labour coalition that successfully campaigned for the PCs in the 2018 and 2022 provincial elections.
By prioritizing the rights of blue-collar workers and investments in skilled trades, the PCs targeted labour groups and unions typically courted by the NDP and other left-leaning parties. To this day, the coalition remains strong and loyal to Ford.
Notwithstanding significant policy differences between Ford and Pierre Poilievre, there is something for the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) to learn from the PCs if they want to succeed in Ontario.
As the federal Conservatives ride momentum off their recent win in Toronto-St. Paul’s, they should leverage PC successes with labour groups to continue their efforts to flip other traditionally left-leaning seats across the GTA.
Union support has been especially powerful for the PCs in projecting a strong reputation as a party that stands up for blue-collar workers.
This is helpful when convincing working-class voters who typically lean left to vote for conservatives.
Poilievre will not get every union to endorse his party, but his outreach may generate enough support to catapult him into government by championing policies that promote skilled trades, improve productivity and elevate quality of life for workers.
Internal Conservative party tensions could interfere with Poilievre’s labour outreach. Some federal conservatives will not want to advocate for labour policies that involve government intervention.
Instead, they will prefer Poilievre adopt a more “hands-off approach.”
The problem with that is labour groups expect action and intervention in policy, and Poilievre is keen to shore their support.
How may Poilievre reconcile that tension?
Courting labour is newer territory for federal Conservatives.
Poilievre will have to remember the PCs successfully established a proworker coalition that has repeatedly helped their government stay in power.
A key part to the PCs’ success was building relationships. Poilievre’s crisscross with private sector union halls, industry associations and training centres, has grown and shows an energetic presence that workers can connect with on the ground.
Poilievre has shown through the byelections that his proworker messaging and policies resonate with the working-class voters.
MP Jamil Jivani’s byelection victory in Durham proved that even ridings generally regarded as labour strongholds can shift its political support from Liberal/NDP to Conservative.
In government, these visits and outreach will have to continue and increase to avoid risk of loosing connection with workers on the ground.
To maintain labour’s support in government, Poilievre will need to introduce policies that positively impact workers on the ground. Poilievre will have to make it clear to all Conservatives that successful labour policy is a “hands-on” government agenda.
These can include proworker legislation, harmonizing labour mobility across provinces, and skills development and training investments.
Industry cannot be left to address worsening labour shortages without state intervention (regardless of how some absolutist “free market” Conservatives feel).
Poilievre’s Conservatives are well positioned to win government as Liberal and NDP political fortunes remain in free fall.
Yet, Conservatives can quickly threaten labour support themselves if they misalign their policies. If they want to maintain their labour support while in government, Conservatives should tread boldly for workers.
Benjamin Lamb is a senior consultant with Wellington Advocacy. Send Industry Perspectives Op-Ed comments and column ideas to editor@dailycommercialnews.com.
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