Stellantis has 30 days to cancel sale, reopen plant or face penalties: Joly

Ottawa and Ontario are preparing to tell the worldwide head of Stellantis that it could be an expensive decision to shut down or sell the plant.

It’s the latest in the dispute with Stellantis in Brampton and the effort to save thousands of auto jobs.

The federal government is trying to force the huge Stellantis company to back down on plans for their plant in Brampton.

“When it comes to Stellantis our position is clear: they cannot close the plant,” said federal industry minister Mélanie Joly.

The plant hasn’t been producing vehicles for about three years, leaving more than 2,200 people out of work, with the company planning to sell the plant to armored vehicle maker Roshel.

WATCH MORE: Feds serve Stellantis with notice of default amid Brampton plant sale

If they don’t change their minds, Joly is threatening to sue to get back money the federal government put into Stellantis in Brampton and Windsor — so far at least $222 million.

They want the Windsor money back as well as Brampton.

“Documents are clear, contracts are clear,” said Joly. “The Brampton facility of Stellantis is linked to the Windsor plant and also the battery investments, and that’s why I said and I continue to say that Stellantis is on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars.”

They’ve given Stellantis 30 days to cancel the sale and re-open the plant, or pay back the money.

They’re rejecting Stellantis’ offer to repay just $24 million.

READ MORE: Joly set to hold meeting in Toronto with Stellantis, union and Ontario minister

Joly and Ontario Industry Minister Vic Fedeli say their next step is to talk directly with the international head of Stellantis, Antonio Filosa.

“Our job — Mel, Premier (Doug) Ford, myself — is to meet with the global CEO now and show them: here are some suggestions, here are the supports that we have,” said Fedeli. “What we really want from you is to buy some time.”

And they’re offering new government support.

“We’ve put an aggressive package to Stallantis to prevent the sale. and we are still in solution mode to prevent the sale,” said Joly.

“There is uncertain times, there’s no doubt about it,” said Ford.

READ MORE: Stellantis plant sale ‘best thing that can happen’ for jobs and Brampton: Roshel CEO

Ford was touring the Honda plant in Alliston Friday, after Honda’s announcement of an $800 million investment this week.

“It gives a sign of confidence in the people of Ontario and what we’ve done,” said Ford. “We’ve created the environment and conditions for companies to invest.”

Fedeli wants Stellantis to keep the plant open , to keep it “warm,” until a new vehicle comes along.

He says that worked in keeping GM operating in Oshawa when it started making Silverado trucks.

READ MORE: Stellantis signs agreement to sell Brampton assembly plant to Roshel