Champagne defends Stellantis contracts as MPs press on job guarantees

During testimony, Champagne said the government secured 'a number of covenants' from Stellantis that protected workers and the company's presence in Canada.

Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne on Wednesday defended his efforts to protect auto manufacturing jobs in Ontario while facing sometimes personal attacks from Conservative MPs over the fate of Stellantis workers in Brampton.

Champagne, in his previous role as industry minister, helped negotiate two federal contracts with Stellantis that are now under scrutiny, after the company announced in October it will shift planned production of the Jeep Compass from its Brampton plant to the U.S.

During testimony at the House of Commons industry committee, Champagne said the government secured “a number of covenants” from Stellantis that protected workers and the company’s presence in Canada.

“I’ve met with a number of the workers (in Brampton) and they know we fought nail and tooth to make sure of that,” he said after Conservative MP Kathy Borelli accused the minister of “hiding” information from the public about the contracts.

“You’re entitled to your own opinion, but you’re not entitled to your own facts. We fought to keep Brampton,” he added.

“Obviously you didn’t fight hard enough because 3,000 people lost their jobs in Brampton,” Borelli said.

“Speaking with the minister today, we can clearly see the minister and his government are simply not up for the job. … Sir, are you proud of yourself and the contract you made with Stellantis?”

“If you want the truth and the facts, I’m happy to be here,” Champagne responded. “If you want to come here and question my character, I’ll let Canadians judge that.”