Joly Demands GM Action in 15 Days for Ontario Plant Workers

UPDATE: In a critical move for the auto industry, Industry Minister Melanie Joly has given General Motors (GM) just 15 days to outline its “next steps” regarding the future of workers at its Ingersoll, Ontario plant. This ultimatum follows GM’s recent decision to halt production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van, leaving more than 1,200 unionized workers facing uncertainty.

Joly emphasized the urgency of the situation in a social media statement, asserting, “Canadian workers deserve clarity and action, not uncertainty.” This statement follows a meeting on Thursday with representatives from GM, Unifor, and the Ontario government.

In a related development, a government source revealed to Global News that Ottawa is poised to limit the number of vehicles GM and Stellantis can import tariff-free from the United States for sale in Canada. This policy shift is a direct response to the companies’ recent decisions that threaten Canadian auto manufacturing jobs.

The news comes shortly after GM announced the complete shutdown of its CAMI plant earlier this week, a decision attributed to declining demand. The plant had already faced temporary production cuts in April and was scheduled to restart operations in November with a single shift, which would have seen only a fraction of the workforce returning.

Joly is mobilizing a “response team” aimed at introducing a new model for production at the Ingersoll plant, underscoring her commitment to revitalizing the local economy. The urgency of this initiative is heightened by Stellantis’s recent announcement that it is relocating production of the Jeep Compass from its Brampton, Ontario plant to Illinois as part of its strategy to boost investments in the U.S.

The Ontario government has vowed to hold Stellantis accountable for its decision, with Joly exploring all available options, including legal avenues, to ensure the protection of Canadian jobs. She noted that Stellantis may have breached commitments made in exchange for billions of dollars in federal subsidies aimed at supporting local manufacturing.

This situation has raised questions among the Conservative Party regarding whether the agreements signed between Stellantis and the federal government included guarantees for Canadian workers. In April, the federal government assured that companies maintaining production in Canada would receive exemptions from retaliatory tariffs imposed in response to U.S. auto tariffs.

With these developments unfolding rapidly, the implications for workers and the future of auto manufacturing in Canada remain critical. Joly’s decisive actions underscore the government’s commitment to supporting workers and ensuring job security amid an increasingly volatile industry landscape.

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to evolve. The next few weeks will be pivotal in determining the future of automotive jobs in Ontario and the broader implications for the Canadian economy.