Mr. Chair, I rise today on behalf of the people of Brampton West and on behalf of thousands of auto workers across this country whose livelihoods have been thrown into crisis.
On October 14, Stellantis announced it would move Jeep Compass production from Brampton to the U.S. There are 3,000 direct jobs at risk and another 12,000 supply chain jobs threatened. Up to 15,000 families in Peel face economic uncertainty. All of this happened after billions in subsidies from the Liberals, with no enforceable job guarantees.
In Brampton, the frustration is real. The hurt is real and the fear is real. People ask how the government could allow this to happen. Over three years, Stellantis received over $1 billion in direct grants: $520 million federally and $513 million from Ontario.
I also would like to mention that I will be splitting my time with the member for Kitchener South—Hespeler.
Retooling was promised from 2024 to 2025, but after the money flowed, production left. The Windsor battery plant received up to $500 million in federal support, and $260 million has already been paid. Then the government signed a $15-billion performance-based subsidy deal: $10 billion federal and $5 billion provincial. In total, Stellantis has access up to $16.5 billion in support, and no real protection for workers, no job guarantees, no production clauses and no clawbacks.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer warns EV subsidies now total $52.5 billion and that it may take a decade to break even, if companies stay in Canada.
Then came the tariff failure. The Prime Minister promised a U.S. tariff deal by July 21. The deadline passed and there was no deal and no protection. After the October 7 meeting with President Trump, the U.S. kept its tariffs. President Trump said that he would attract trillions in Canadian investment. Weeks later, production left Brampton. Families are devastated. I have with met them with our leader at the Chrysler plant in Brampton. They are worried about mortgages. Workers cannot sleep. Moms and dads fear Christmas will be unaffordable.
In Brampton West, one Stellantis income supports an entire household. When that income disappears, the family suffers. The Prime Minister's response is, “Who cares?” I care and Conservatives care. Canadian workers deserve a government that fights for them.
Conservatives forced the release of the Stellantis contract. On October 22, the industry committee unanimously adopted a Conservative motion to investigate the Stellantis commitments. Witnesses, including Unifor and the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, raised serious concerns about the government's weak agreements and the absence of a coherent industrial strategy.
The government responded with a tariff restriction, which only will raise costs for Canadians. Brampton does not need theatrics; Brampton needs jobs. Conservatives have a plan: Cut the GST on Canadian-made vehicles while U.S. tariffs remain, create a keep Canadian working fund to support workers hit by U.S. trade actions, and maintain clean auto incentives but with real job guarantees, transparency and accountability.
Brampton built Canada's auto industry. Its workers built vehicles for the world. They deserve respect and they deserve protection. We will work every single day to rebuild Canada's manufacturing strength so that no community ever suffers what Brampton is facing today.