By Muhammad Hamza – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Jan 28, 2026 – Brampton, Mississauga While Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the new agreement with China to resume significant imports from the leading electric vehicle producer “reflects the world as it is today, and benefits the people of both our nations,” many auto workers in Brampton are feeling even less secure about their prospects. Some industry analysts think, however, that the Liberal government is making a wise move and that deals for EV imports with trustworthy partners could potentially rescue Canada’s auto manufacturing sector after U. S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist measures effectively isolated his country’s market from Canadian-made vehicles. The situation at the Brampton Assembly remains uncertain following Stellantis’s announcement in October to relocate production of the next generation Jeep Compass from Brampton to Illinois due to tariff threats from Trump. Union representatives say that the new agreement signed with China on January 16 only adds to the anxiety faced by around 3,000 auto workers in Brampton still employed by Stellantis. “It doesn’t make any sense,” Vito Beato, President of Unifor Local 1285, shared with The Pointer. “They sold out the auto industry. It’s causing problems for our plant as well.” The Chrysler (Stellantis) assembly plant in Brampton. (The Pointer file photo) Beato has been actively advocating for the Brampton plant for over a year now. Last February, responding to tariff threats, Stellantis announced a halt on retooling plans at the facility intended for producing both electric and hybrid versions of the Jeep Compass, aided by $529 million from the federal government. What was supposed to be an eight-week pause stretched into months before workers were blindsided by October’s announcement about moving production south of the border. Employees told The Pointer they received this life-altering news through a robocall from company officials-a move Unifor members described as “disrespectful and disgusting.” Beato expressed disappointment over the federal government signing a new import deal instead of concentrating on retaining manufacturing jobs in Brampton. “This puts our auto industry in an even worse position than before,” he said. “I agree it’s tough to trust the U. S., but that doesn’t mean you go make a deal with a country you can never rely on.” Beato led a “Protect Canadian Jobs” rally last October demanding Stellantis stick to its commitments made under its existing agreement with both union representatives and federal authorities. He wants clarity on product strategy for the Brampton plant; however, no announcements have been made since Stellantis indicated late last year it would find solutions regarding its large assembly facility in Brampton. In December, Stellantis revealed that 240 employees from Brampton were reassigned to work at its Windsor Assembly plant. Unifor Local 1285 represents approximately 3,000 workers.![]()
Vito Beato, President of Unifor Local 1285, led efforts during October’s “Protect Canadian Jobs” rally alongside fellow Brampton plant workers. He refers to this new Chinese EV deal as “problematic” for Canada.
(Alexis Wright/The Pointer)
No clear plans have emerged regarding Stellantis’s future actions at its Brampton facility despite claims from company officials suggesting otherwise.
Sending employees to Windsor feels like nothing more than diversionary tactics according to Beato who noted it won’t safeguard jobs in Brampton.
“The company’s proposal regarding transferring workers or discussing big plans for Brampton looks like just smoke and mirrors aimed at rationalizing their decisions while claiming our members are safe,” he told The Pointer back in October.
A wide range of stakeholders across Ontario is pushing for job security within the automotive sector.
Mike Schreiner, leader of Ontario’s Green Party, communicated his worries about potential job losses within Ontario’s automotive sector stemming from this recent EV deal with China when speaking with The Pointer.
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Jan 28, 2026 – Brampton, Mississauga While Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the new agreement with China to resume significant imports from the leading electric vehicle producer “reflects the world as it is today, and benefits the people of both our nations,” many auto workers in Brampton are feeling even less secure about their prospects. Some industry analysts think, however, that the Liberal government is making a wise move and that deals for EV imports with trustworthy partners could potentially rescue Canada’s auto manufacturing sector after U. S. President Donald Trump’s protectionist measures effectively isolated his country’s market from Canadian-made vehicles. The situation at the Brampton Assembly remains uncertain following Stellantis’s announcement in October to relocate production of the next generation Jeep Compass from Brampton to Illinois due to tariff threats from Trump. Union representatives say that the new agreement signed with China on January 16 only adds to the anxiety faced by around 3,000 auto workers in Brampton still employed by Stellantis. “It doesn’t make any sense,” Vito Beato, President of Unifor Local 1285, shared with The Pointer. “They sold out the auto industry. It’s causing problems for our plant as well.” The Chrysler (Stellantis) assembly plant in Brampton. (The Pointer file photo) Beato has been actively advocating for the Brampton plant for over a year now. Last February, responding to tariff threats, Stellantis announced a halt on retooling plans at the facility intended for producing both electric and hybrid versions of the Jeep Compass, aided by $529 million from the federal government. What was supposed to be an eight-week pause stretched into months before workers were blindsided by October’s announcement about moving production south of the border. Employees told The Pointer they received this life-altering news through a robocall from company officials-a move Unifor members described as “disrespectful and disgusting.” Beato expressed disappointment over the federal government signing a new import deal instead of concentrating on retaining manufacturing jobs in Brampton. “This puts our auto industry in an even worse position than before,” he said. “I agree it’s tough to trust the U. S., but that doesn’t mean you go make a deal with a country you can never rely on.” Beato led a “Protect Canadian Jobs” rally last October demanding Stellantis stick to its commitments made under its existing agreement with both union representatives and federal authorities. He wants clarity on product strategy for the Brampton plant; however, no announcements have been made since Stellantis indicated late last year it would find solutions regarding its large assembly facility in Brampton. In December, Stellantis revealed that 240 employees from Brampton were reassigned to work at its Windsor Assembly plant. Unifor Local 1285 represents approximately 3,000 workers.
Mike Schreiner standing together with supporters
(Green Party of Ontario)
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