Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly are urging Stellantis to introduce a new model at its dormant Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant following the automaker’s announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding a potential sale.
Stellantis recently disclosed the signing of an MOU with Canadian armored vehicle maker Roshel for the potential sale of its Brampton facility. Minister Joly emphasized the protection of Canadian workers in any potential sale, but stressed the government’s expectation for Stellantis to deliver more.
“We are advocating for a new model from Stellantis at the Brampton plant and will exert maximum pressure to ensure this, with a pledge to seek reimbursement if necessary,” stated Joly during a media briefing in Toronto. Premier Ford echoed his support for Joly’s stance, emphasizing the need for a fresh model at the plant to leverage the expertise of Canada’s auto workforce.
With over 11,000 employees in Ontario, Stellantis plays a significant role in the province’s economy, and the government aims to bolster this presence further. CBC News has reached out to Stellantis for their input on the matter.
The Brampton plant has been inactive since 2023, initially slated for retooling for Jeep Compass production before the plan was halted in early 2025. Following the decision to shift Jeep Compass production to the U.S., the federal government issued warnings to Stellantis regarding commitments made under agreements with both federal and provincial entities.
These commitments, tied to a $15-billion performance incentive from Ottawa and Ontario, included meeting production targets at the Brampton facility. The potential sale of the plant to Roshel has raised concerns among Unifor, the union representing plant workers, as the current collective agreement nears expiration.
With talks at a standstill, Unifor National President Lana Payne has urged the federal government to intervene to safeguard the jobs of over 2,000 employees potentially impacted by the sale. Payne’s letter to Minister Joly emphasized opposition to Stellantis’ proposal to sell the plant to a non-automaker and called for resolute resistance from the government.
The future of the Brampton assembly plant remains uncertain amidst ongoing negotiations and the looming threat of a sale, prompting calls for government action to preserve jobs and the automotive industry in Ontario.
