Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly have jointly urged Stellantis to introduce a new model at its idle Brampton, Ontario assembly plant following the automaker’s announcement of signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a potential sale.

Stellantis recently disclosed that it has entered into an MOU with Canadian armored vehicle manufacturer Roshel regarding the potential sale of the Brampton plant. Minister Joly emphasized the importance of safeguarding Canadian workers in the event of a sale to another company, while also asserting the government’s insistence on Stellantis committing to introducing a new model at the plant. Premier Ford echoed Joly’s sentiments, emphasizing the skills of the Canadian auto workers and the significance of securing a new model from Stellantis.

With over 11,000 employees in Ontario, Stellantis plays a crucial role in the province’s economy. Both the Premier and the Industry Minister are keen on building upon this foundation. CBC News has reached out to Stellantis for their response.

Stellantis’ Brampton plant has remained inactive since 2023 when plans to retool it for Jeep Compass production were put on hold. The subsequent decision to relocate Jeep Compass production to the U.S sparked a stern reaction from the federal government, which threatened legal action if Stellantis failed to honor its commitments made to both federal and provincial governments.

The uncertainty surrounding the potential sale of the assembly plant, as indicated by the MOU with Roshel, has raised concerns among Unifor, the union representing plant workers. The current collective agreement between Stellantis and the union is set to expire soon, with talks at a standstill. Unifor’s National President Lana Payne has emphasized the need for the federal government to intervene and prevent any negative repercussions on the workforce.

Payne’s letter to Minister Joly highlighted the potential impact on over 2,000 workers and urged strong resistance from the government against the proposal to sell the plant to a non-automaker. The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue amidst growing concerns within the automotive industry.