Hundreds of workers from General Motors gathered outside the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, demanding the company to secure a new vehicle for production at the facility. Represented by Unifor Local 88, these employees seek clarity following GM’s recent decision to discontinue the BrightDrop electric delivery van project at CAMI.
A similar demonstration was simultaneously taking place in Brampton as per reports from CBC London. Unifor initiated “Solidarity Actions” at both the Brampton Assembly Plant and CAMI in response to Stellantis’ plan to move the Jeep Compass program from Brampton to the U.S. and GM’s cancellation of the BrightDrop program at CAMI.
Approximately 1,200 workers in Ingersoll were left jobless after GM’s announcement, impacting a region heavily reliant on the automotive industry. Employees at the rally expressed skepticism over GM’s justification for ending the project, pointing to political factors such as potential tariffs affecting the decision.
In a bid to address concerns, GM issued a statement through its Canadian president, Kristian Aquilina, emphasizing the company’s longstanding presence in Ingersoll and commitment to supporting its workforce during this transition period. While GM assured that Canada remains integral to its operations, including ongoing activities in Oshawa and St. Catharines, efforts are underway to repurpose the CAMI plant.
Amidst calls for a new product line at CAMI, federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the formation of a collaborative group, involving the union and Ontario officials, to advocate for fresh production opportunities at the facility. Joly set a deadline for GM to outline the next steps for employees within 15 days.
Union representatives, like Mike Van Boekel of Unifor Local 88, believe the deadline could prompt GM to provide clarity on the future of CAMI Assembly. Workers at the rally expressed hope for a new vehicle project to revitalize the plant and secure their jobs.
