OTTAWA: Reports indicate that the federal government had prior knowledge months in advance regarding automaker Stellantis’s plan to sell its plant to Roshel Inc. According to the report, the federal government had been continuously involved in matters related to this deal since August, with both the Prime Minister’s Office and Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s office kept informed of the developments.
Stellantis announced on Monday its plan to sell the plant to Roshel. Prime Minister Mark Carney sharply criticized the move, calling it a betrayal of responsibilities toward workers and Canada. Over 2,000 workers lost their jobs at the facility when operations were halted in 2023 to retool the plant for Jeep Compass production. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has convened a meeting of stakeholders in Toronto on Thursday to decide on the future of the workers.
Industry Minister’s Office Denies Involvement in Deal
Mélanie Joly’s spokesperson, Mathis Denis, clarified that the minister had no role in the contract negotiations with either Stellantis or Roshel. He added that neither the minister nor the department will approve any agreement lacking union consent, nor will they permit deals that violate the terms of the 2022 agreement signed between the previous government and Stellantis. Under the 2022 deal, the federal government pledged $529 million and the Ontario provincial government pledged $513 million to boost electric and gas vehicle production. However, the Ontario government has withheld its funding thus far, citing the company’s failure to meet conditions, including job creation targets.
Ontario Premier Warns Against Chinese Auto Parts
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has issued a strong warning against turning the Brampton plant into an assembly hub for imported Chinese-made knock-down kits. He sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighting these concerns, following reports that Stellantis is in talks with Chinese automaker Leapmotor. In the letter, Ford stated that importing and assembling parts from China would undermine the future of the auto manufacturing sector in Ontario and Canada, adversely affecting thousands of workers and allied industries.
