Trudeau won't commit to auto strategy

Justin Trudeau wrapped up his two day visit to the Windsor area Thursday with a tour of the Ford engine plant and meetings with the city's mayor and chamber of commerce.

The Liberal leader was asked if his party would support an auto strategy. But it was an idea Trudeau would not commit to.

"Right now, we have a government that has not been forthright with Canadians about our budgetary system, and it would be premature to make commitments around something as important as this at this time," he said.

Trudeau pledged to roll out details of his policy platform at the start of his election campaign later this year.

Windsor West NDP MP Brian Masse jumped on Trudeau's lack of commitment.

"It's nothing short of shocking that they wouldn't have that as part of their strategy, but I think that's the reality when you look at the Liberal platform right now and what Mr. Trudeau is saying. It's inherent with contradictions," he said.

Unions calling for auto strategy

The Canadian Auto Workers union is calling on both the federal and provincial governments to create a national auto strategy.

The federal Liberal leader focused on economic issues during his discussion with the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce.

"We talked about all sorts of different challenges, but mostly opportunities for Windsor," he said.

"Opportunities in manufacturing and the auto sector, and the need for the Canadian government to be a better partner to the region."

Trudeau was also asked about the delays in repairing the Paul Martin federal building in downtown Windsor.

He said he'd "like to think that it's not an issue of partisanship," but he worries that the Conservative government has "some terrible habits" in how it regards political opponents.

The building is named after a former Liberal cabinet minister.