TORONTO — Prime Minister Mark Carney said the global head of Stellantis told him the automaker is looking at finding a new model to fill the idled Brampton, Ont., plant, but that a decision would require more trade certainty.
Speaking to reporters in Toronto, Carney said he spoke with the Stellantis chief executive on Tuesday, shortly before the company announced it would be moving planned production of its Jeep Compass from its plant in Brampton, Ont., to Illinois.
“I expressed disappointment on their decision,” said Carney on Thursday.
He said the CEO, Antonio Filosa, gave him assurances they would provide support for the 3,000 workers affected at the Brampton facility, and that they would consider other vehicles for the plant.
“They’re looking at different models being produced in Brampton. That decision would be taken in the context of the finalization of the USMCA,” said Carney.
The North American free trade deal, also known as CUSMA, is up for renewal next year, creating uncertainty over what longer-term tariffs Canadian automotive production may face.
Stellantis halted work on retooling the Brampton plant in February as U.S. President Donald Trump started rolling out a range of tariffs that have created doubts on the future of Canada’s auto sector.
The automaker announced the move of production of the Jeep model on Tuesday as part of a US$13-billion investment that will see it boost U.S. production by 50 per cent over the next four years.
The decision means Brampton workers, who have been off the job since Stellantis shut the plant at the end of 2023, won’t re-start work later this year as planned.
Carney said the federal government was working with Unifor and the province to ensure workers have enough support, while noting they will also have the opportunity of taking some of the 1,500 jobs at Stellantis’ Windsor, Ont., plant as it adds a third shift.
Unifor national president Lana Payne said in a statement Thursday that the added jobs and shift in Windsor are part of the commitments the union negotiated with Stellantis in 2023 contract talks, and shouldn’t be seen as any sort of compensation for the loss of the Brampton production.
“Offering already expected jobs in Windsor while eliminating Brampton jobs does not balance the scales,” she said.
Carney said he reminded the company of its commitments to the federal government under funding deals, which include upwards of $14.6 billion in financial support for the battery plant Stellantis is building with LG in Windsor.
Carney said there are potential consequences for the company if it doesn’t meet its obligations that include keeping the Brampton plant.
“There is exposure of the company if they were not to follow through with those commitments for Brampton,” said Carney.
“I reminded the global CEO of those undertakings.”
On Wednesday, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly expressed her “extreme concern” about the move in a letter to the company where she threatened legal action if it doesn’t meet commitments it made to the federal government for funding.
Stellantis said in a statement Wednesday that Canada is very important to the company, that it continues to invest in the country and that it has plans for the Brampton plant.
Flavio Volpe, head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, said Wednesday that he wasn’t particularly reassured by the company’s statement.
“I’ve been around long enough to know a plan and a car are two different things.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2025.
Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press
