Unifor welcomes new Ontario biofuels regulations

Photo: United Soybean Board

The provincial government’s move to increase Ontario-made content in biodiesel could rejuvenate the domestic industry and secure Canadian jobs, said Canadian energy union Unifor. 

“Ontario’s and Canada’s energy security must be a top priority,” said Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president. “As with regulating the biodiesel market, there are many solutions at hand to strengthen the industry and create good jobs.” 

The government of Ontario announced that it will mandate domestic biobased content requirements for both diesel fuel and gasoline placed in the Ontario market under the Cleaner Transportation Fuels regulation.  

Unifor said it hopes that the change will have a direct positive impact on the operation of the Biox facility on the verge of closing in Hamilton. 

Unifor has campaigned for a domestic requirement to help set the market conditions that support good jobs at Ontario biofuel producers. 

“Unifor activists in the energy sector worked hard to make the case for modernizing regulations and investing in Ontario’s biofuels industry,” Payne said. “They are doing important work to protect and create more good energy jobs.”  

In its submission to the government, Unifor urged all levels of government in Canada to coordinate with producers with the goal of supporting a steady and secure supply of inputs for biofuel production. 

“The Ontario government has taken action to strengthen the biodiesel industry,” said Samia Hashi, Unifor’s regional director for Ontario. “We are prepared to work together with industry and regulators to ensure this change maximizes job creation for Ontario’s biodiesel sector.” 

Unifor is Canada’s largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy.  

The union said it 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.