Why did hundreds of General Motors employees choose today to protest outside the Ontario auto plant?

Hundreds of General Motors workers took to the sidewalk outside the CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, on Wednesday, calling on the automotive company to find a new vehicle to produce at the plant.

The workers, represented by Unifor Local 88, want clarity soon on the future of production following last week’s announcement that the CAMI plant will no longer be involved in BrightDrop electric delivery vans.

A similar protest was underway in Brampton when CBC London spoke to people at the protest in Ingersoll.

Unifor says “Solidarity Action” The Brampton Assembly Plant and CAMI plant were established after Stellantis announced its intention to move the Jeep Compass program from Brampton to the US and GM said it would cancel the BrightDrop program at CAMI.

In Ingersoll, a part of Ontario where the automotive sector dominates the economy, about 1,200 people suddenly found themselves unemployed.

GM has said the decision was about market demand and poor sales of the van, but is not related to stopping tariffs in the United States.

While many employees at the Ingersoll rally were skeptical — those who were told they would receive six months of pay — they said they saw a direct connection between the political climate south of the border and the company’s decision to walk away from a facility launched with optimism and public money only four years ago.

“We were ready to run, but unfortunately, the new president was inaugurated and he immediately started talking tariffs,” said Steven Pye, a 20-year CAMI employee.

“Everyone was really liking the idea of ​​what we were doing and saving money with our fleet, but didn’t want to be tied into contracts that would be badly hit with tariffs in the future.”

Before the rallies, GM released a statement from its Canadian president, saying it was working to find a new employee for the CAMI plant and noting that the company has been building vehicles in Ingersoll for more than 100 years. The plant opened only in 1989.

“As CAMI Assembly is being evaluated for future opportunities, GM is focused on supporting our people and working with our partners,” Cristian Aquilina’s statement said.

“These are complex discussions, and we need to invest the time necessary for collaboration that will deliver better outcomes for our people, our communities and our customers.”

Canada remains the hub of its North American operations, GM said, highlighting ongoing production in Oshawa and St. Catharines, as well as a new $600 million battery-materials facility under construction in Bécancour, Que.

Nevertheless, $500 million of public money has been invested in retooling the BrightDrop facilityFederal Industry Minister melanie Joly said a group will be formed that will include unions and Ontario to promote new production at the plant.

Jolley also gave the GM 15 days to detail next steps for employees, with the deadline being next Wednesday.

Longtime CAMI employee Brooke Strub said, “Finally, I’d like to see a new product here. We’ve proven time and again that our vehicles are second to none. We deserve a new vehicle.”

“They need to get another product here,” said Maria Chinelli, who came to protest from GM’s Oshawa plant. “This plant is right here. The employees are ready to work on the products. The employees don’t want to leave. I don’t want to be fired.”

Union hopes deadline will bring answers

Unifor Local 88 President Mike Van Boeckel was at Tuesday’s rally and said he supports the deadline and its ability to force GM to share its vision for the plant’s future.

“I think it means holding their feet to the fire and making a plan,” he said. “They’re expecting something to be done, some action to be taken, and that clock is ticking. It can’t take six months. They’re looking for some answers.”