Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly are urging Stellantis to introduce a new model at its inactive Brampton, Ontario assembly plant following the automaker’s memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer Roshel concerning a potential sale of the facility.
During a media briefing in Toronto, Joly stated that Canadian workers’ interests would be safeguarded in the event of a plant sale to another entity. However, she emphasized the government’s desire for additional commitments from Stellantis, asserting that they are advocating for a new Stellantis model to be manufactured at the Brampton location. Ford echoed Joly’s sentiments, emphasizing the exceptional skills of Canadian auto workers and emphasizing the need for a fresh model at the plant.
Stellantis, which employs over 11,000 individuals in Ontario, is a significant contributor to the province’s economy, and authorities are keen to build on this partnership. Both federal and provincial governments are pressuring Stellantis for further commitments, with the possibility of seeking repayment if demands are not met.
The Brampton plant has been inactive since 2023 when plans to retool it for Jeep Compass production were halted by Stellantis in early 2025. Subsequently, the automaker announced the relocation of Jeep Compass production to the United States, prompting a stern response from the federal government, which threatened legal action if Stellantis failed to honor its commitments made to both levels of government.
The recent MOU with Roshel regarding a potential sale of the Brampton plant has raised concerns among Unifor, the union representing workers at the site. With the current collective agreement set to expire soon and negotiations deadlocked, Unifor is urging the federal government to intervene to prevent potential job losses affecting over 2,000 employees.
In a letter to Minister Joly, Unifor National President Lana Payne emphasized the importance of protecting jobs and criticized Stellantis’ proposal to sell the plant to a non-automaker. The union is calling on the government to resist such a move and ensure the plant’s continuity as an automotive manufacturing facility.