Ontario premier urges Stellantis to secure production model for Brampton plant

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province has urged Stellantis to identify a vehicle model that can be produced at the company’s Brampton, Ontario, assembly plant. Ford told reporters he had spoken with Stellantis representatives late last week and emphasized the need for jobs at the facility.

"We voiced our opinion. Create more jobs," Ford said.

"We need jobs there and we can’t bring in kits from China. No, because that will ... Unacceptable. We need them to find a vehicle, a model, that works," he added.

The Brampton plant has been idle since 2023, leaving more than 2,000 workers without employment. In September, Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with Roshel, a local armored-vehicle manufacturer, for a potential transaction involving the site. Both Stellantis and Roshel have said they have “nothing to announce” about the plant.

The union representing the workers, Unifor, said Stellantis has not confirmed whether the sale has been finalized and called for transparent information. The union’s statement said it expects a clear answer and, if a sale has occurred, details of the conditions.

At a press conference, Ford did not address the rumored sale directly, stating only that the province needs a vehicle model for the plant and that “we just need jobs.”