According to Unifor national president Lana Payne, Stellantis is seriously considering the closure and sale of its idled Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, after informing union leadership of the potential move during discussions on Wednesday. The facility, which represents roughly 2,200 union members represented by Unifor Local 1285, has been without vehicle production since 2023, while workers currently receive income security replacing 70 per cent of their wages, as reported by the union.
Unifor Slams Potential Brampton Assembly Plant Sale As Contract Talks Loom
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Payne called the possible closure a “gut punch” to union members who have dedicated their careers to the facility. According to the union, Stellantis has not yet provided formal written notice of a closure or sale. Under the terms of the existing collective agreement, the automaker is required to give at least one year of notice before moving forward with such a decision. Payne stated that the company indicated an intent to open discussions with another company regarding a potential sale of the manufacturing site.
Stellantis responded to the development through a statement on Friday, noting that it is preparing to enter the collective bargaining process and has nothing to announce at this time. The company emphasized that its focus remains on finding a sustainable manufacturing solution for the Brampton site. The current labour agreement covering plants in Brampton, Windsor, and Etobicoke is scheduled to expire on September 20.
Production Shifts and Federal Funding Scrutiny
The manufacturing facility was originally slated to undergo retooling for Jeep Compass production. According to the union, that retooling process began in January 2024 before being paused in February 2025. In October 2025, Stellantis informed Unifor that it would move the planned Jeep Compass production to the United States, leaving the plant indefinitely idled. Global News reported that the October shift occurred even as the automaker reiterated its commitment to Canadian production.
Global News noted that the latest announcement coincides with trade negotiations between Canada and the United States in Washington, alongside upcoming 50 per cent tariffs set to take effect on August 19 that target the Canadian auto sector. Payne criticized the tariff measures during her Friday remarks, stating that Canada’s auto trade with the U.S. is completely balanced. Furthermore, the potential sale revives scrutiny from the federal government following Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s November announcement of a formal dispute resolution process and subsequent default notices over alleged breaches of a 2022 agreement that provided Stellantis with $529 million from the Strategic Innovation Fund for plant retooling.
Local Response and Municipal Zoning Protections
Local leadership has pushed back against the prospect of a permanent shutdown. Vito Beato, president of Unifor Local 1285, asserted that giving up on the workforce is the wrong move and maintained that closure is not an option. Municipal officials are also taking defensive measures. Shawn Bubel, spokesperson for Brampton mayor Patrick Brown, stated on Friday that the city stands firmly with Unifor and the plant’s workers. According to Bubel, the city has zoned the land specifically for automotive production so they cannot simply be sold for another use.
Did you know?
The Brampton Assembly Plant has been idled since 2023, and workers affected by the pause currently receive income security replacing 70 per cent of their wages, according to Unifor data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the Brampton Assembly Plant?
The plant has been idled since 2023. While retooling for Jeep Compass production began in January 2024, Stellantis moved that production to the U.S. in October 2025 and informed Unifor on Wednesday that it is seriously considering a closure and sale of the facility.
How much notice does Stellantis have to give for a plant closure?
According to Unifor, the collective agreement requires the automaker to provide at least one year of notice before proceeding with a closure or sale of the Brampton plant.
How many workers are affected by the Brampton plant situation?
Unifor Local 1285 represents approximately 2,200 members at the Brampton plant who are currently receiving income security while the facility remains idled.
When does the current Unifor-Stellantis labour agreement expire?
The collective agreement covering Stellantis operations in Brampton, Windsor, and Etobicoke is set to expire on September 20.
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