(Tecumseh) Ontario Premier Doug Ford has indicated that the province and the federal government will make a “huge” investment in an auto assembly plant in Windsor, Ont., To help boost production after its owner has announced a reduction in his work shifts.
Manufacturer Stellantis, formerly known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, announced last week that it would reduce the number of shifts at the facility to just one next spring, resulting in the loss of around 1,800 jobs. .
The company says the move comes as the auto industry faces significant headwinds, including a semiconductor shortage and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stellantis had already cut in 2020 one of the three shifts of the van factory, which had resulted in the loss of around 1,500 jobs.
Ford, who was speaking near Windsor on Monday, said he wanted to see three teams at the plant again, and would meet with Stellantis management on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister was unable to provide details on the investment, but suggested that taking into account the two levels of government, “hundreds of millions” of dollars were at stake.
Stellantis reaffirmed its commitment, contained in a 2020 collective agreement with the local Unifor union, to spend more than $ 1.5 billion at the Winsor facility.
This plant produces the Chrysler Pacifica, the Chrysler Voyager and the Chrysler Grand Caravan.
Mr. Ford also spoke of his interest in setting up a battery plant in Windsor.
“We have all the natural resources, we have the lithium, we have the nickel, we have the cobalt, guys, it’s all there,” he said.
“We don’t need to bring these batteries from overseas. We have it all here. On top of that, we have the best workforce in the world […] Message to all those listening and wanting to grow in Ontario, especially in the battery business: we will be at your doorstep and we will be ready to make a deal with you. ”