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Ontario Premier Doug Ford is expressing intense disappointment After Stellantis confirmed it would move forward with production moving the Jeep Compass from its Brampton assembly plant to Illinois, a decision that has thrown hundreds of Ontario autoworkers into disarray.
In a statement, Ford said he had spoken directly to Stellantis to express his disappointment at the company’s decision to prioritize investment in the United States. He also stressed his government’s commitment to assist the affected employees.
“This decision is especially painful for workers who have been out of a job for months,” Ford said. “Our government will continue to use every tool we have, including our $20 million investment in power centers to support displaced workers, including retraining to enter the workforce as quickly as possible.”
Ford emphasized that Stellantis has not been provided any provincial funding for its Brampton project. He clarified that Ontario will not release any financial assistance until the company gives assurances of resuming operations.
Ford added, “Stelantis has a duty to honor its promise to Brampton autoworkers and continue to maintain its allocation in Brampton.” “No provincial funding will be provided until we have clear assurances as to when the plant will resume operations and meet that commitment.”
brampton facility, which has been lying dormant since the beginning of this yearStellantis was expected to play a role in the electric vehicle transition strategy. The company’s decision to move production south of the border has raised concerns among workers and union leaders about the long-term future of the plant.
Ford calls for federal action
Ford also used the announcement to call on Ottawa to do more to protect Ontario’s auto sector, which employs an estimated 157,000 workers. He urged the federal government to maintain tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and speed up approvals for major industrial projects.
,[This] The news is another reminder that we need the federal government to stand up for the 157,000 workers in Ontario’s auto sector by maintaining tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles,” Ford said.
“We need to work with the federal government to move forward on big projects – building nuclear facilities, mining critical minerals, shipbuilding, pipelines and ports – that will unlock economic opportunities and create new jobs for workers across the province.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government, Ontario and Unifor are working with Stellantis to develop measures to protect workers and create new opportunities in and around Brampton.
“We have also made it clear that we expect Stellantis to deliver on its promises to Brampton workers.” Carney said on social media late Tuesday night“Today’s decision is a direct result of current U.S. tariffs and potential future U.S. trade actions.”
Carney further said that until a more certain business environment is established for the North American auto sector through the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, decisions on new investment in the auto sector will continue to be affected.