Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly are urging Stellantis to introduce a new model at its idle Brampton, Ontario assembly plant following the automaker’s announcement of signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding a potential sale.
During a press conference in Toronto, Joly assured that Canadian workers will be safeguarded in case of a plant sale to another company. However, she emphasized the government’s expectation for additional commitments from Stellantis, stating, “We insist on a new model from Stellantis at the Brampton plant and will apply maximum pressure for its realization. If not, we will seek a refund.”
Ford echoed Joly’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for a fresh model at the plant, praising the skills of Canadian auto workers. Stellantis, which employs over 11,000 individuals in Ontario, is a significant contributor to the province’s economy, and Ford expressed the government’s desire to maintain and enhance this partnership.
The Brampton plant has been inactive since 2023, initially slated for retooling for Jeep Compass production before the plan was halted in early 2025. Subsequently, the company announced the relocation of production to the U.S., prompting a strong reaction from the federal government, which threatened legal action over unmet commitments tied to a substantial performance incentive provided by Ottawa and Ontario.
With uncertainties surrounding the plant’s future amidst the recent MOU with Roshel, concerns have been raised by Unifor, the union representing plant workers. Discussions on the current collective agreement are at a standstill, with the agreement set to expire soon, potentially affecting over 2,000 employees. Unifor has urged the federal government to intervene and prevent adverse outcomes, criticizing the proposal to sell the plant to a non-automaker and calling for strong opposition from federal authorities.