Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly are urging Stellantis to introduce a new model at its dormant Brampton, Ont., assembly plant following the automaker’s announcement of a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a potential sale.
Last Friday, Stellantis disclosed the MOU with Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer Roshel regarding the possible sale of its Brampton facility. Joly, speaking to journalists at an unrelated event in Toronto on Wednesday, assured that Canadian workers’ interests would be safeguarded in any potential plant sale to another entity. She emphasized the government’s expectation for enhanced commitments from the automaker.
“We are insisting on Stellantis bringing a new model to the Brampton plant and will exert maximum pressure to achieve this. If they fail to comply, we will seek reimbursement,” stated Joly.
Ford echoed Joly’s sentiments, emphasizing the necessity for a fresh model at the plant, emphasizing the exceptional skills of Canadian auto workers. Stellantis, which employs over 11,000 individuals in Ontario, is a key contributor to the province’s economy, and Ford emphasized the importance of sustaining and expanding this contribution.
Efforts to reach Stellantis for comment by CBC News were underway at the time of reporting.
Stellantis’ Brampton plant has remained inactive since 2023 when plans to retool it for Jeep Compass production were halted in early 2025. The subsequent decision to relocate Jeep Compass production to the U.S. prompted a stern reaction from the federal government, which warned of legal action if Stellantis reneged on commitments made to the federal and provincial governments.
These commitments were part of an agreement that included a $15-billion performance incentive from the governments in exchange for maintaining production at the Brampton plant. The recent MOU with Roshel concerning a potential sale has raised concerns among Unifor, the union representing workers at the facility.
The current collective agreement between Stellantis and the union is set to expire on September 20, 11:59 p.m., and negotiations are currently at a standstill, as per a letter from Unifor National President Lana Payne to Joly. The letter highlighted that over 2,000 workers could be affected by a potential sale and stressed the government’s responsibility to prevent such an outcome.
“The proposed sale of the plant to a non-automaker should have never been entertained and must face strong opposition from the federal government,” the letter emphasized.