Canada’s Industry Minister Mélanie Joly is scheduled to meet with representatives of automaker Stellantis, the Unifor union and the Ontario government in Toronto on Thursday, November 12, 2026, as concerns grow over the future of the company’s Brampton assembly plant.
The four-way meeting comes days after Stellantis announced an agreement to sell its Brampton, Ontario, facility and associated equipment to Canadian armoured vehicle manufacturer Roshel for an undisclosed amount. The proposed transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory and other conditions.
The Brampton plant has been idle since 2023, resulting in more than 2,000 workers losing their jobs. The facility had initially been scheduled for retooling to produce Jeep vehicles, but Stellantis later suspended the plans and announced that production of the Jeep Compass would move to Illinois in the United States.
The proposed sale has intensified tensions between Stellantis and Unifor, which represents more than 9,000 workers employed by the automaker across Canada.
Collective bargaining negotiations between the company and the union broke down in September after Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with Roshel concerning the potential sale of the Brampton facility.
Unifor National President Lana Payne has strongly criticised the transaction, describing it as a worst-case scenario for workers. She accused Stellantis of failing to honour its commitments to employees and the Canadian manufacturing sector.
The union has been seeking assurances about Stellantis’ long-term operations in Canada, including the future of its Windsor Assembly Plant and the company’s broader manufacturing commitments.
Joly’s meeting is expected to bring the parties together to discuss the dispute and the future of Stellantis’ Canadian operations. Ontario Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli is expected to represent the provincial government, alongside company executives and union leadership.
The federal government has also faced questions about its involvement in the negotiations surrounding the Brampton plant’s sale.
Joly’s office has rejected reports suggesting that the minister participated directly in negotiations between Stellantis and Roshel. Her spokesperson, Mathis Denis, said the minister’s involvement was limited to efforts to resolve disagreements between Stellantis and Unifor.
The spokesperson also said the federal government had made clear that Stellantis must honour its existing commitments under agreements connected to federal financial support.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticised the sale, saying it violates obligations Stellantis has under several agreements with the Canadian government. He described the company’s decision as a betrayal of workers and its commitments to Canada.
The federal government previously committed up to $529 million through the Strategic Response Fund in connection with Stellantis’ Canadian operations. Ottawa has indicated that it could use available measures if the company fails to meet its obligations.
Meanwhile, Roshel has indicated that it is willing to hire some of the workers previously employed at the Brampton facility. However, the number of employees who could return to work and the future production plans for the site remain uncertain.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to be an important opportunity for the federal and provincial governments, Stellantis and Unifor to address outstanding concerns about employment, investment and Canada’s automotive manufacturing industry.
Swifteradio.com
