Where does the new Liberal government stand on auto?

As the Liberal government transitions into power in Ottawa, many are watching for the puzzle pieces to fall into place to get a sense of how it will operate.

That includes the stakeholders and observers of the auto industry, which does not appear to have been a major focus so far for the party that will form the government.

"The Liberal government has not really stated or laid out any sort of automotive plan for Canada," said Tony Faria, the co-director of the Office of Automotive and Vehicle Research at the University of Windsor's Odette School of Business.

'Pro-trade' outlook

In the final days of the election campaign, Justin Trudeau, who is now the prime minister-designate, was asked about what a Liberal government would do for the auto industry in light of a Pacific Rim trade deal that may expose it to greater foreign competition.

Trudeau said the Liberals are "a pro-trade party," one that is aware of the high-paying jobs that exist in export-intensive industries, like auto.

The country's next prime minister also talked about the need to ensure the auto industry "continues to flourish and is competitive" and for Ottawa to do a better job promoting the manufacturing industry abroad.

But he did not offer any specific measures for the auto sector.

Lack of strategy 'concerning'

New Democrat Tracey Ramsey, an autoworker who is the newly elected member for the southwestern Ontario riding of Essex, said this apparent lack of a formal auto strategy was concerning.

"We know how much our economy down here depends on manufacturing," she told CBC News in an interview this week. "Auto jobs in our community provide great spinoff work and are very valuable."

There seems to be no explicit mention of the auto industry in the party's 88-page platform, though there are sections that relate to the promotion of trade and exports.

The Liberal Party did not provide much information to CBC News on Friday regarding where the auto sector stands with the new government. It continues to prepare to take the levers of power in Ottawa and its new cabinet will be announced next month.

Separate attempts to reach out to several Liberal candidates in automotive ridings in Ontario did not result in any interviews.

'No facts or knowledge' about auto strategy

Ray Tanguay, a retired auto executive who has been advising the Conservative and Ontario governments on auto matters, said it was premature to comment on where the Liberals stand on auto.

"It is too early to have an opinion since we have no facts or knowledge of their auto strategy," he said in an email to CBC News.

In Windsor, some labour leaders seem to be staying positive about the change in government, saying they believe a Liberal government will be more approachable on issues in general than a Conservative one.

Chris Taylor, the president of Unifor Local 200 in Windsor, said he met with Trudeau earlier this year and believes "he understands the issues that face us in the auto industry."​

What about the TPP?

Taylor vowed to push the Liberals on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that Canada signed on to in the final days of the campaign. It must still be ratified by Parliament.

"This agreement is still bad for Canada, still extremely bad for the automotive industry," said Taylor.

Ramsey said she hoped Trudeau and his government "will take a leadership role on making amendments to the TPP that are desperately needed."​

On the campaign trail, Trudeau had said that Liberals would be "making a very clear case for trade" in Parliament but would have MPs debate and discuss its elements before a ratification vote.