Premier Doug Ford has expressed his determination to advocate for the retention of Stellantis’ assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario. This comes after the automaker’s decision to relocate Jeep production from the Brampton plant to the United States, despite previous assurances from Stellantis Canada’s president, Jeff Hines, that the plant would remain operational.
Ford expressed disappointment at the announcement, highlighting the discrepancy between the significant investment Stellantis is making in the U.S. and the potential of Ontario’s auto manufacturing industry. He pledged unwavering support to keep the Brampton plant operational, emphasizing the capability of Ontario to produce top-quality vehicles.
The federal government also took action against Stellantis, with Industry Minister Melanie Joly issuing a letter expressing “extreme concern” and demanding that the company honor its commitments following years of financial support.
Questions have arisen regarding provincial funding for the plant, with Ford clarifying that no funding has been provided to Stellantis for the Brampton project. The mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, described the decision as a significant setback for the community, emphasizing the substantial investments made by the province and Ottawa in retooling Stellantis plants.
Prime Minister Mark Carney attributed the move to U.S. tariffs and pledged to collaborate with Stellantis to explore new opportunities in the region. Meanwhile, Ford hinted at potential retaliatory measures against the tariffs during his upcoming meeting with Carney.
Stellantis affirmed its ongoing commitment to Canada, mentioning discussions with the government on the future of the Brampton facility. Unifor national president Lana Payne called for government intervention to safeguard Canadian auto sector jobs, emphasizing the urgency of prioritizing the preservation of the Brampton Assembly plant.
