Ford demands Ottawa block Chinese EV kits from Brampton plant
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Premier Doug Ford is urging the federal government to shut down a proposal that would let Chinese-made EV kits enter the former Stellantis plant in Brampton, arguing that Canada must protect its auto jobs, its industrial base and its sovereignty from foreign interference.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford sent a letter to Justin Trudeau on Nov. 10, urging the federal government to prevent Chinese-made electric-vehicle (EV) knock-down kits from being assembled at the former Stellantis auto plant in Brampton, which was recently sold to defence manufacturer Roshel. Ford wrote that allowing such kits would “undermine the future of Canada and Ontario’s automotive sector” and could result in the loss of more than 7,500 jobs in the region, with only a few hundred assembly positions remaining.
The premier’s letter, also copied to Industry Minister Melanie Joly, Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli, Unifor National President Lana Payne and Auto Parts Manufacturer Association President Flavio Volpe, emphasized the urgent need to protect and expand Canada’s automotive footprint and to keep the supply chain domestic, rather than opening the door to Chinese-made products and the risks that come with them.
In response, a spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, Sofia Ouslis, said the federal government is aligned with Ontario in protecting workers and manufacturing in Brampton and is not considering proposals that would replace full-vehicle production with Chinese-made kit cars. The spokesperson added that any Chinese EV investment must use Canadian parts, labour and supply chains, a position repeatedly voiced by Minister Joly.
Industry sources indicated that Stellantis plans to re-lease about 25% of the Brampton facility from Roshel to assemble “affordable” EVs for Canadian customers, retaining part of the workforce. While the federal government has publicly opposed the import of knock-down kits, it remains open to Chinese EV manufacturers establishing joint ventures in Canada, provided they meet conditions such as a localized supply chain and Canadian control.
Unifor’s national president, Lana Payne, criticized the plant sale and warned that China-related proposals threaten hundreds of thousands of Canadian auto-industry jobs. A meeting involving the union, Minister Joly and Stellantis is scheduled for Thursday in Toronto.