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 company’s announcement of signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding a possible sale.
Joly emphasized the necessity of safeguarding Canadian workers during any potential plant sale to another company. She stressed the federal government’s commitment to pushing Stellantis for more, stating, “We want a new model from Stellantis at the plant, and we’ll apply maximum pressure for that outcome. If not, we’ll seek to recover our investment.”
Ford echoed Joly’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for a new model at the Stellantis plant, praising the exceptional skills of Canadian auto workers. Stellantis, which employs over 11,000 individuals in Ontario, is a vital contributor to the province’s economy, and Ford highlighted the importance of furthering this partnership.
The Brampton plant has been inactive since 2023, initially intended for Jeep Compass production before Stellantis halted the plan in early 2025, relocating production to the U.S. This decision triggered a strong reaction from the federal government, which warned of legal action if Stellantis failed to honor its commitments outlined in agreements with federal and provincial authorities.
Unifor, the union representing workers at the Brampton plant, has raised concerns about the plant’s future following the recent MOU with Roshel. With the collective agreement set to expire soon, negotiations are currently at a standstill, with more than 2,000 workers potentially affected by a plant sale.
Unifor National President Lana Payne has urged the federal government to intervene to prevent adverse outcomes, criticizing Stellantis’ proposal to sell the plant to a non-automaker. The union emphasizes the need for strong opposition from the federal government against such a sale.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions and negotiations between stakeholders to secure the future of the Brampton plant and its workforce.