Chris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸23h ago

So it's not about cars or EVs or jobs.
It's just plain old stupid racism, Doug.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/stellantis-plant-brampton-ontario-ev-ford-9.7151265

#Canada #EV #China #Cars #Manufacturing #Jobs #DougFord

Ontario 'dead against' Stellantis talks to build Chinese EVs at Brampton plant: Ford | CBC News

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has reacted to reports that Stellantis is in talks with a Chinese automobile manufacturer about the possibility of building Chinese electric vehicles in Canada at its idled ⁠Brampton assembly plant.

CBC
Show threadEllipsis... 🇨🇦
@chris the union has been raising some legitimate concerns about the role of Canadian auto-parts supply chain in Chinese EV assembly. I'm not saying that this is reason enough to stop the plan, but it's not unreasonable.
Apr 2 at 6:46pmWeb
Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸22h ago
@tobiaspatton I hear that. And as union person I am sensitive to that. But also as a realist, I know that China, and their automakers in particular, have pioneered new manufacturing processes ("dark factories” there was a good CBC report this week) that will inevitably be taken up by all manufacturers. So we can either be part of that now, or later.
Show threadEllipsis... 🇨🇦22h ago
@chris I tend to agree with this stance. But I think we need to look after displaced workers the best we can.
Show threadChris Alemany🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇸21h ago
@tobiaspatton absolutely. That's generally the missing link and it is why so much bad blood is generated by these transitions.
Show threadZenHeathen 🇨🇦21h ago
@tobiaspatton But aren't there displaced workers right now? This plant is sitting idle. If they spin it up again, there are jobs. @chris
Show threadAmgine21h ago

@chris @tobiaspatton

One of the key things about assembling in Canada is there are inevitably cost efficiencies which produce local economic activity.

But also - this is all about Stellantis getting out of their contract violation(s) with Ontario and Canada. And that requires a certain number of skilled Canadian employees. Or cash.