Unifor, a national labor union, revealed that Stellantis is contemplating the potential closure and sale of the Brampton Assembly Plant. Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president, disclosed that the union was informed by Stellantis of these considerations but has not received formal written notification as per their agreement’s requirements. Stellantis is obligated to give a minimum of one year’s notice to the union before any closure or sale. The company has hinted at initiating discussions with another entity regarding the plant’s potential sale.
Expressing deep disappointment, Payne described the situation as a significant blow to the union and its dedicated members who have contributed substantially to the plant. Stellantis responded by stating that they are gearing up for collective bargaining and have no announcements to make currently, emphasizing their focus on securing a sustainable manufacturing solution for the Brampton Assembly.
The union highlighted that the Brampton plant was in the process of being retooled for Jeep Compass production, which commenced in January 2024 but was halted in February 2025. Subsequently, in October 2025, Stellantis informed the union of their decision to relocate Jeep Compass production from Brampton to the U.S., leading to the potential shutdown of the plant.
Unifor plans to address this issue during upcoming contract negotiations with Stellantis, underscoring the irreplaceable nature of well-paying union jobs established over decades in the automotive sector. Additionally, Unifor aims to advocate for a government policy safeguarding Canada’s auto manufacturing industry.
Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285, affirmed the union’s commitment to preserving jobs at the Brampton plant, emphasizing the significance of these roles. He remains optimistic about exploring opportunities for the plant’s future during bargaining sessions, insisting that closure is not an acceptable outcome.
Unifor Local 1285 represents approximately 2,200 members at the Brampton plant. Despite the plant’s inactivity, workers are receiving “income security,” covering 70% of their earnings, according to the union. The City of Brampton, through Mayor Patrick Brown’s spokesperson Shawn Bubel, expressed solidarity with Unifor and the plant workers, aiming to safeguard automotive production in Brampton for the long term.
In a statement, Riyadh Nazerally, spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, assured that the federal government is actively collaborating with stakeholders to protect jobs at the Brampton plant and ensure continued operations in Canada.