Abstract

The post-war decades are often considered boom years in North America’s economy, especially in the auto manufacturing industry. Contrary to this understanding, however, Windsor, once Canada’s foremost auto manufacturing hub, saw a steep decline in its industrial output. Its major employer, the Ford Motor Company of Canada, moved its headquarters and principal operations to Oakville in 1953. Many parts manufacturers would follow suit. In total, this industrial exodus would result in thousands of Windsor workers losing their jobs. Union officials tried to prevent the relocation of automotive jobs out of Windsor, but to little avail. For their part, municipal officials were reluctant to interfere in the hopes of attracting future investment, while provincial and federal politicians viewed this as too localized an issue. As far as they were concerned, investment in other regions of Ontario was still investment and, on balance, provincial job numbers were still on the rise. Windsor may have been losing jobs, but other areas within Ontario were the beneficiaries. Ultimately, then, I argue that Windsor challenges the traditional timeline of deindustrialization, with its focus on the 1970s and 1980s. Plant movements are intrinsic to capitalism, as companies seek to avoid unions and control wage costs.