Premier Doug Ford has pledged to advocate for the preservation of Stellantis’ assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, and ensure the company honors its commitment to workers following its decision to shift Jeep production slated for the plant to the United States. Ford expressed disappointment over the move, highlighting previous assurances from Stellantis Canada’s president, Jeff Hines, that the Brampton plant would remain operational.
The announcement came as part of Stellantis’ $13 billion plan to boost U.S. production by 50% over the next four years. Ford emphasized the significance of Ontario’s automotive manufacturing prowess and affirmed his determination to support the Brampton plant regardless of obstacles, emphasizing the production capabilities within the region.
Meanwhile, the federal government, through Industry Minister Melanie Joly, issued a warning to Stellantis, emphasizing the importance of upholding commitments made to Canada and its workforce. Joly demanded compliance with obligations stemming from substantial financial support provided to the company over the years.
Ford clarified that no provincial funding has been allocated to Stellantis for the Brampton project to date and stressed that funding would only be considered upon receiving clear assurances regarding the plant’s operational timeline. The premier reiterated this stance during a news conference, reiterating the linkage between funding and the continued operations of the Windsor and Brampton plants.
Notably, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown expressed deep disappointment over the decision, characterizing it as a significant blow to the community. He highlighted the substantial investments made by the province and Ottawa in 2022 to modernize Stellantis plants in Windsor and Brampton, including commitments towards electric vehicle production.
As discussions unfold regarding the future of the Brampton facility, Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed the shift in production to U.S. tariffs and emphasized the government’s commitment to collaborating with Stellantis to mitigate the impact on Brampton and its workers. Both the prime minister and Mayor Brown called for a proactive stance against the challenges posed by tariffs, advocating for measures to protect Canadian industries.
Union leader Lana Payne urged the federal government to leverage its influence to safeguard Canadian auto sector jobs, emphasizing the critical need to prioritize the preservation of the Brampton Assembly plant. Stellantis had initially planned to prepare the Brampton plant for electric and gas Jeep Compass production but paused operations earlier due to tariff uncertainties.
Despite the setback in Brampton, Stellantis affirmed its ongoing investments in Canada, including plans to add a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant. The company assured continued dialogue with the Canadian government to determine the future of the Brampton facility, underscoring the importance of the Canadian market in its operations.