Prime Minister Mark Carney has disclosed that the global head of Stellantis informed him about considering a new model for the dormant Brampton plant in Ontario, although a decision is not imminent. Carney mentioned during a press briefing in Toronto that Stellantis conveyed that the verdict on manufacturing a vehicle in Brampton hinges on the finalization of an updated free trade agreement with the United States.
Stellantis recently declared a $13 billion US investment over the next four years to enhance its production capacity in the U.S., aiming to escalate U.S. vehicle manufacturing by 50% and create over 5,000 jobs. The company, formerly known as Chrysler, revealed that the Jeep Compass, originally planned for production at the Brampton Assembly Plant, will now be relocated to the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois.
The Brampton plant has been non-operational since early 2024 for retooling to construct the next-generation vehicle model, with work paused in February due to trade tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney expressed his disappointment to Stellantis for shifting the long-anticipated Jeep production away from Ontario.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly has voiced extreme concern over this move and issued a warning to Stellantis in a letter threatening legal action if the company fails to uphold its commitments to the federal government regarding funding agreements.
Carney emphasized that there could be repercussions for Stellantis if it fails to meet its obligations, including retaining the Brampton plant. He reiterated the importance of Stellantis exploring alternative models for production in Brampton and ensuring adequate support for workers. Additionally, Carney highlighted the expectation of 1,500 new jobs with the third shift at the Windsor Stellantis facility.