Ontario Premier Doug Ford has pledged to advocate for Stellantis to uphold its commitment and maintain operations at the Brampton assembly plant. This follows the automaker’s announcement to relocate Jeep production originally designated for the plant to the United States, despite previous assurances from Stellantis Canada president Jeff Hines regarding the plant’s future.
Ford expressed disappointment over the decision, citing Stellantis’ $13 billion investment plan to expand U.S. production. Emphasizing Ontario’s automotive manufacturing prowess, Ford affirmed his determination to support the Brampton plant, asserting the capability to produce top-quality vehicles in the region.
Federal Industry Minister Melanie Joly issued a warning to Stellantis through a letter, expressing grave concerns and demanding compliance with obligations tied to substantial financial support provided by the government over the years. Joly emphasized the importance of honoring commitments made to Canada and the workforce.
Regarding provincial funding for the plant, Ford clarified that no funds have been disbursed to Stellantis for the Brampton project, pending confirmation on the plant’s operational restart timeline. The premier underscored the conditionality of funding on project milestones and job creation targets, which the Brampton plant has yet to meet.
Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed the production shift to U.S. tariffs and pledged to collaborate with Stellantis to explore new opportunities in the Brampton area. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown echoed concerns over the impact of tariffs and urged the federal government to take action in defense of the auto sector. Ford announced plans to engage with the Prime Minister to discuss potential retaliatory measures against tariffs.
Stellantis assured its commitment to Canada, highlighted by plans to introduce a third shift at the Windsor Assembly Plant and ongoing discussions with the government regarding the Brampton facility’s future. Unifor’s national president Lana Payne called for government intervention to safeguard Canadian auto jobs and emphasized the urgency of protecting workers amidst industry challenges.
