Roshel refuses to assume Stellantis obligations to 2,200 laid-off Brampton workers

TORONTO — The announced sale of Stellantis's vehicle assembly plant in Brampton, Ontario, has sparked wide debate over the future of about 2,200 workers who have been out of work since 2023, after the chief executive of the buyer, Roshel, said the company will not take on the previous commitments made to them.

Roman Shimonov, founder of Roshel, a manufacturer of armoured vehicles, said his company intends to restart the facility and create new jobs, but does not consider itself responsible for the pledges Stellantis made to its employees.

The comments follow an announcement by the two companies on Monday, November 9, that they had signed an agreement to sell the plant and its equipment for an undisclosed amount, as Unifor continues to press for the protection of jobs and workers' rights.

Roshel defends the deal and promises thousands of jobs

Shimonov described the deal as an opportunity to revive the plant and bring industrial activity back to Brampton. He said he was surprised that the government has not publicly declared its support for the project.

He explained that Roshel plans to build an advanced manufacturing centre that combines the production of defence vehicles with activities tied to the automotive sector.

He said his company aims to hire thousands of people in the future, giving priority to Brampton residents and former plant workers.

However, these plans do not guarantee that all affected workers will be rehired or keep their previous wages and benefits.

Published estimates suggest that about 700 to 1,000 former Stellantis employees could be offered a return to work, depending on operating needs and how the project develops.

A European automaker may join the project

Shimonov said his company holds a letter of intent from a major European automaker, without naming it.

He said the aim is to use the plant's space for a range of industrial activities, not only the production of armoured vehicles.

The plan also includes leasing about a quarter of the site back to Stellantis for automotive-related uses.

However, a letter of intent is not a final production contract, and there are still no confirmed details on the size of the investment or hiring timelines.

The two companies expect to complete the sale before the end of 2026, subject to government and regulatory requirements being met.

Unifor accuses Stellantis of abandoning workers

Unifor president Lana Payne criticized the deal, saying it raises serious questions about the future of workers who spent years at the plant.

Stellantis halted production in Brampton in 2023 in preparation for retooling its assembly lines, then put the project on hold in 2025 and moved production of the Jeep Compass to the U.S. state of Illinois.

The union says this contradicts earlier commitments on the continuation of automotive manufacturing at the site.

In October, 97.3 per cent of workers who took part in a vote gave the union a mandate for a possible strike, while its leadership stressed that a strike remains a last resort.

The stalled negotiations involve more than 9,000 Stellantis workers in Canada.

Federal government calls for commitments to be honoured

Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly said the sale of the plant does not relieve Stellantis of its obligations to workers in Brampton.

She called on the company, the union and the Ontario government to meet this week to reach a solution that ensures stable jobs and protects employees' rights.

The government has also previously warned that it could seek to recover public funds if Stellantis does not meet the conditions attached to the support it received.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown called for the company to be held to account for its commitments on continued production, and urged Roshel to work with the union to identify job and training opportunities.

What awaits the laid-off workers?

Stellantis says it recognizes its obligations under its collective agreements and applicable laws, and that it is ready to negotiate a fair settlement with the union.