Managing Trump (his Tariffs…and everything else): 1)(Updated) Carney says Stellantis offered reassurances on Brampton plant; 2) (Updated) Politicians call on Stellantis to fulfil promises to Brampton, Ont., autoworkers

1 ) (Updated) Carney says Stellantis offered reassurances on Brampton plant

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Ian Bickis, Oct. 16, 2025.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says 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 won’t be coming quickly.

Speaking to reporters in Toronto, Carney said Stellantis told him that a decision on producing a vehicle in Brampton would be dependent on the finalization of a renewed free trade deal with the United States.

Carney’s comments come two days after Stellantis said that it would move its Jeep Compass production, and the more than 3,000 jobs that come with it, to Illinois rather than the Brampton plant.

Carney says he expressed “disappointment” with Stellantis over its decision to move the long-planned Jeep production from Ontario.

On Wednesday, Industry Minister Melanie 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 federal government for funding.

Carney said Thursday that 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, restarting Brampton,” said Carney.

“I reminded the global CEO of those undertakings.”

Carney said that along with assurances that the company is looking at another model being produced in Brampton, the CEO told him support would be provided for workers.

Stellantis shut the Brampton plant at the end of 2023 to prepare for the new vehicle. The company halted that work in February as U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out tariffs aimed at bringing more production into the United States.

The automaker announced the move of production of the Jeep model 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. 

2) (Updated) Politicians call on Stellantis to fulfil promises to Brampton, Ont., autoworkers

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Canadian Press Staff, Oct. 15, 2025.

Cars pass along the assembly line at the Stellantis plant in Brampton, Ontario on Friday July 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canadian politicians are calling on Stellantis to fulfil its commitment to workers at the company’s assembly plant in Brampton, Ont., after the automaker announced plans to shift Jeep production slated for the plant to the United States.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the company has a duty to live up to its promise to workers. 

“I have spoken with Stellantis to stress my disappointment with their decision to prioritize investment into the U.S.,” said Ford in a statement.

The news came as part of a US$13-billion plan announced Tuesday by Stellantis to expand U.S. production by 50 per cent over the next four years.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said the move was a direct consequence of U.S. tariffs and his government will be working with Stellantis to create new opportunities in and around Brampton.

“We expect Stellantis to fulfil the undertakings they have made to the workers of Brampton,” he said in a statement.

Stellantis said it continues to invest in Canada, including adding a third shift to the Windsor Assembly Plant, and that it is in talks with the government on the future of the Brampton facility.

“Canada is very important to us. We have plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government,” said spokeswoman Jodi Tinson in a statement.

Unifor national president Lana Payne urged the federal government to use what leverage it has to protect auto sector workers. 

“Canadian auto jobs are being sacrificed on the Trump altar,” said Payne in a statement. 

“Saving Brampton Assembly must now be this country’s top priority, sending a strong message to any corporation thinking they can take the same egregious actions.”

Stellantis had been working to prepare the Brampton plant for both electric and gas Jeep Compass production this year, but halted that work in February amid Trump’s tariff threats. 

The Brampton plant, which has been down since early 2024 to prepare for the new production line, had about 3,000 employees before closing.

In announcing its major U.S. investment Tuesday, Stellantis said reopening its Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois to expand U.S. Jeep production would create around 3,300 new jobs.