Canada plants spared from 50,000 in automakers’ jobs cuts

DETROIT — Embattled U.S. automaker GM is slashing its global workforce by 47,000 jobs. Chrysler is reportedly axing another 3,000 jobs.

Though, according to news reports, it appears that Canada — and Oshawa, particularly — has avoided further major cuts.

The two companies submitted their long-awaited restructuring plans to the U.S. government last night. They are required to hand in similar plans to Canadian authorities this week.

Despite receiving over $10 billion in financial aid already, GM says it needs another $30 billion to stay afloat. If that happens, the car giant says it would shutter five more plants in the U.S., equaling 20,000 jobs, along with 27,000 more workers, worldwide.

However, Canadian targets weren’t part of the list, according to the Toronto Star.

Additionally, it promised to scale back its dealer network and sell the Saturn brand. If a buyer doesn’t surface, GM will eliminate the division by 2011.

GM’s past cuts have already impacted Canadian operations. The manufacturer is closing a Chevy truck plant in Oshawa later this year and a parts facility in Windsor in 2010.

Meanwhile, Chrysler, which handed out thousands of pink slips in Canada in 2007, asked Washington for $9 billion on top of the $4 billion in loans it has already received.