Hundreds of workers at the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, organized a demonstration on Wednesday urging General Motors to secure a new vehicle for production at the facility. Represented by Unifor Local 88, the employees seek clarity on the plant’s future following the recent announcement that it would no longer be involved in the production of BrightDrop electric delivery vans.
A similar protest was concurrently taking place in Brampton while CBC London interviewed individuals at the Ingersoll protest. The solidarity actions at both the Brampton Assembly Plant and CAMI were prompted by Stellantis’ decision 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 abruptly left jobless, impacting a region heavily reliant on the automotive industry. While GM attributed the plant closure to market demand and poor van sales, employees at the rally expressed skepticism, drawing connections between the political climate in the U.S. and the company’s withdrawal from a facility that was established with optimism and public funds just four years ago.
In response to the rallies, GM released a statement through its Canadian president, emphasizing its longstanding presence in Ingersoll, where vehicles have been manufactured for over a century. The company assured its commitment to supporting employees and collaborating with partners to explore future opportunities for the CAMI plant.
Despite ongoing operations in Oshawa and St. Catharines, as well as the construction of a new battery-materials facility in Bécancour, Quebec, the $500 million investment in the BrightDrop facility has sparked calls for new production at CAMI. Federal Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the formation of a group involving the union and Ontario to advocate for the plant’s revitalization.
Joly gave GM a 15-day deadline to outline plans for affected employees, with expectations set for next Wednesday. Workers at the rally expressed their desire for a new product to be brought to the plant, emphasizing their readiness to continue working. Union representatives, including Mike Van Boekel of Unifor Local 88, hope that the deadline will prompt GM to provide clarity on the future of CAMI Assembly in Ingersoll.