(Toronto) Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Stellantis to “keep its promise” to Brampton workers after the automaker announced it was moving planned production from an assembly plant in Illinois.
In a press release, Mr. Ford indicated that he had spoken with Stellantis to underline his “disappointment with its decision to favor investments in the United States”.
Unifor, the union representing autoworkers at Jeep’s Brampton assembly plant, said the move to Illinois was part of a $13 billion plan announced Tuesday by automaker Stellantis to increase its U.S. production by 50% over the next four years.
The premier says no provincial funding has been provided to the automaker for its Brampton project and that no funding will be provided until the government receives clear assurances about when the plant will restart.
Premier Mark Carney said the move was a direct result of the US tariffs and that his government would work with Stellantis to create new opportunities in Brampton and surrounding areas.
In February, Stellantis announced a pause in operations in Brampton due to the retooling of its factory for the production of electric and gas-powered Jeep Compass vehicles. The factory had around 3,000 employees before it closed in early 2024 to prepare for the installation of the new production line.
