Canadian politicians are calling on Stellantis to fulfil its commitment to workers at the company’s assembly plant in Brampton, Ont., after the automaker announced plans to shift Jeep production slated for the plant to the United States.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the company has a duty to live up to its promise to workers.
“I have spoken with Stellantis to stress my disappointment with their decision to prioritize investment into the U.S.,” said Ford in a statement.
Ford is also scheduled to speak about the move at 11:30 a.m. ET at a news conference CBC News will carry live in this article.
The news came as part of a $13-billion US plan announced Tuesday by Stellantis to expand U.S. production by 50 per cent over the next four years.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move was a direct consequence of U.S. tariffs and his government will be working with Stellantis to create new opportunities in and around Brampton.
“We expect Stellantis to fulfil the undertakings they have made to the workers of Brampton,” he said in a statement.
Stellantis said it continues to invest in Canada, including adding a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant, and that it is in talks with the government on the future of the Brampton facility.
“Canada is very important to us. We have plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government,” said spokeswoman Jodi Tinson in a statement.
Unifor national president Lana Payne urged the federal government to use what leverage it has to protect auto sector workers.
“Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar,” said Payne in a statement.
“Saving Brampton Assembly must now be this country’s top priority, sending a strong message to any corporation thinking they can take the same egregious actions.”
Stellantis had been working to prepare the Brampton plant for both electric and gas Jeep Compass production this year, but halted that work in February amid Trump’s tariff threats.
The Brampton plant, which has been down since early 2024 to prepare for the new production line, had about 3,000 employees before closing.
In announcing its major U.S. investment Tuesday, Stellantis said reopening its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois to expand U.S. Jeep production would create around 3,300 new jobs.
