Maple Express Evening | November 9, 2026 — Stellantis to sell Brampton assembly plant

Source: CP24

1. Stellantis to sell Brampton assembly plant, future of 2,200-plus workers uncertain

Stellantis and Canadian defence technology company Roshel announced in a news release late Monday afternoon that they have agreed to sell the Brampton assembly plant for an undisclosed amount, with the transaction expected to close by the end of this year. The companies said the sale will "create a path to return the Brampton Assembly Plant to productive industrial use."

More than 2,200 workers have been on layoff at the plant since production was put on hold in December 2023. Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said in the release that Brampton employees "have made lasting contributions to Stellantis" and that the company takes "our responsibilities to them and their families seriously." After "three years of paid layoff," he said, Stellantis remains committed to working with Unifor "on a fair resolution."

In September, Stellantis signed a memorandum of understanding with Roshel for a potential sale, setting off months of speculation about the plant's fate. Roshel said Monday it plans to "create a new centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing" that will "allow Canadian companies to better serve customers at home and export into allied markets." Roshel did not say how many people would be employed, only that the site will "bring much-needed manufacturing space and jobs to the Toronto area." Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement that the sale "does not erase the commitments they made to workers in Brampton." In May 2022 the federal government agreed to provide Stellantis with $529 million to retool its Brampton and Windsor plants. Joly said she has reached out to representatives of Unifor, Stellantis, the Ontario government and the Brampton plant to convene a meeting later this week. Speaking at a news conference in Peterborough earlier Monday, Premier Doug Ford did not comment on the rumoured sale but said "we need to get a (vehicle) model into that plant one way or another," adding that "we can't bring in kits from China. Can't happen... Unacceptable."

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2. Ford calls OSAP protesters 'so naive,' says they ran out 'like sheep'

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, asked at an unrelated news conference in Peterborough on Monday about last week's student walkouts over changes to the Ontario Student Assistance Program, said the students are "naive." The protests took place at campuses including the University of Toronto, Carleton University and York University.

"Some kids I don't get it. They read the social media, and half the people on social media have a bunch of Looney Tunes, and it's just it's crazy. There's no backup, no nothing," Ford said. "These kids are so naive." He continued: "They say, okay, let's all run out. They all run out like sheep. No, no, no, no. Stick there and study. The ones that study, you're going to be successful because the number one thing you need when you leave university or college is a good-paying job."

In February, the Ford government announced it would begin lifting the tuition freeze and boost funding to post-secondary institutions while also cutting grant funding for students applying to OSAP, effectively lowering the portion of OSAP funding that can come as a grant from 85 per cent to 25 per cent. Student groups have raised concerns that the changes are making post-secondary education significantly more expensive. Ford also pointed to his government's October announcement of a $38-million investment in Trent University to fund 1,504 additional seats in STEM, health and trades programs, and said Ontario has "the brightest students in the world." During Thursday's walkouts, Jarrid Norris of the Student Mobilization Committee told CTV News at U of T's St. George campus that students were "very fed up" and witnessing "the deterioration of our public education," describing OSAP as a "lifeline for many students." Their demands include grants instead of loans, hands off admissions, and an end to tuition hikes.

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3. Health Canada finds dangerous bacteria in seized drugs from China

Health Canada warned Canadians on Monday not to use or inject unauthorized peptides after potentially dangerous bacteria were found in seized drugs from China. The department said it seized and tested more than 11,400 vials produced by Shanghai ERP Peptide Biotechnology Co. Ltd., also known as ERP Peptide.

"Injecting contaminated products can cause serious infections, hospitalization, and in severe cases, life-threatening sepsis," Health Canada said in a public advisory. It advised anyone who used an unauthorized injectable peptide and develops redness, swelling, pain at the injection site, fever, chills or generally feels unwell to seek medical attention immediately. Peptides are drugs made from short chains of amino acids used to treat conditions such as diabetes, obesity and osteoporosis; in Canada, injectable peptides are generally regulated as prescription medications, and authorized products include Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound.

Health Canada said the unauthorized peptides were seized from ERP Peptide as well as two online Canadian retailers, truenorthbiolabs.ca and bcaxiompeptide.com, which are no longer active following compliance and enforcement action. According to ERP Peptide's website, the Shanghai-based company maintains a warehouse in Canada and two in the U.S. Health Canada said unauthorized peptides are often promoted for weight loss, muscle growth, anti-aging or wellness, but may cause hormonal imbalance, mood swings, blood sugar imbalance, liver or kidney damage, blood clots and the growth of cancerous tumours. The seized drugs tested positive for bacteria such as Acinetobacter seifertii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis, which can cause severe, drug-resistant and potentially fatal infections, especially in people with compromised immune systems. Health Canada has asked ERP Peptide to immediately stop selling illegal peptides in Canada and is working with the Canada Border Services Agency to block unauthorized shipments. ERP Peptide did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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4. Toronto unveils winter plan with 1,533 new shelter and housing spaces

Toronto on Monday released its 2026/2027 Winter Plan for People Experiencing Homelessness, running from Nov. 15 to April 15, which adds 1,533 shelter and housing spaces — 18 per cent more than the previous year.

The plan includes 588 more permanent supportive and subsidized units, 505 new shelter and 24-hour winter respite site spaces, 254 additional warming centre spaces at five sites activated when temperatures hit -5 C or during winter weather event warnings, and 186 surge capacity spaces opened when temperatures hit -15 C. Extra street outreach teams focused on getting people indoors will be dispatched on days with extreme cold weather alerts, handing out cold weather supplies, warm clothing and sleeping bags. Hours will also be expanded at several drop-ins, which provide food, health care, showers, laundry and social and recreational activities, for a total of 252 more operating hours each week between Nov. 15 and April 15.

"Our primary concerns are the expansion of shelter capacity, activating and operating warming centres, opening extra surge capacity when we hit extreme cold, increasing our street outreach services and supporting people's moves into permanent and long-term housing," Gord Tanner, general manager of the city's Shelter and Support Services Division, said at a Monday morning news conference. The city is also working to add 1,600 long-term shelter spaces through its Homelessness Services Capital Infrastructure Strategy. Tanner said refugee claimants arriving in Toronto will continue to be referred to the Peel Regional Reception Centre; at the height of the crisis in late 2024 the city sheltered about 6,500 claimants on any given night, and now houses about 1,200. The city said it is accommodating roughly 7,000 people nightly, down from 9,000 last year, and that encampments have decreased 67 per cent, from more than 353 in October 2025 to about 118 last month. Streets to Homes has referred 461 people from encampments to shelters since Jan. 1, and more than 4,100 people moved from the shelter system into permanent housing in the past year. A new report by the Financial Accountability Office of Ontario found homelessness rose 17.9 per cent across Ontario between 2022 and 2025 but fell 8.2 per cent in Toronto.

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5. GTA 'living wage' climbs to $27.60 an hour, $9.65 above minimum wage

The so-called living wage needed to comfortably cover living expenses in the Greater Toronto Area has reached $27.60 an hour, according to a new report from the Ontario Living Wage Network. Ontario raised its minimum wage to $17.95 on Oct. 1 — among the highest in the country — but it still falls $9.65 short of the GTA living wage.

Last year's calculation for the GTA was $27.20 an hour, a 40-cent increase this year. OLWN said Ottawa saw the highest year-over-year increase, rising 3 per cent from $23.40 to $24.10 an hour. "Even in the region with the lowest living wage rate, a person working full-time at minimum wage would still fall short of what they need to cover basic expenses," the network said. To calculate a living wage, the group considers living expenses across 10 Ontario regions for three household types: a single adult, a single parent caring for a seven-year-old child, and two 35-year-old parents supporting two young children. The hourly rate reflects the before-tax income each adult needs to cover food, shelter, childcare, transportation and recreation, factoring in applicable taxes, benefits and transfers.

Using Statistics Canada's Consumer Price Index, OLWN says a family of four in the GTA needs $12,914 a year for groceries, a single adult $4,469 and a single parent $6,186. Shelter costs, including hydro and tenant insurance, come to $34,802 for a family of four in a three-bedroom apartment, $25,501 for a single person in a one-bedroom unit and $28,603 for a single parent in a two-bedroom apartment. Clothing and shoes cost a family of four $2,992 a year, a single parent $1,724 and a single person $616. Other expenses — from toiletries and household supplies to family outings, birthday presents and internet — average $12,047 for a family of four, $5,995 for a single parent and $3,845 for a single adult. Transportation, calculated as one car and one adult transit pass for a family of four, totals $9,689 a year in the GTA; a single parent driving a car needs $7,462 and a single adult using public transit $1,959. Childcare averages $21.05 a day in 2026 across Ontario, meaning a family of four in the GTA needs an average of $12,565 a year and a single parent $7,062.

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6. Muslim group calls Blue Jays player's posts disconcerting, sees an opportunity

The National Council of Canadian Muslims said Monday there is an opportunity to turn a negative into a positive after a series of anti-Muslim videos were shared on Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander's social media account. Steven Zhou, the council's media and communications lead, said that while the posts were disappointing and disconcerting, he is hopeful the situation can lead to a stronger relationship between the team, the player, ownership and the Muslim community.

Santander posted the videos in the aftermath of last week's U.S. midterm elections and deleted them last Thursday, according to reports. The Blue Jays later issued a statement saying individual comments do not represent the organization's values and beliefs. General manager Ross Atkins is scheduled to hold an availability Tuesday afternoon at Major League Baseball's GM meetings in Las Vegas.

The 32-year-old Santander, who is from Venezuela, did not play at the big-league level last season due to injuries. He signed a five-year deal worth US$92.5 million with the Blue Jays in January 2025.

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7. Barrie shelter fire: 37 women relocated, 44-year-old charged with arson

Barrie police have arrested a 44-year-old woman in connection with a fire at the Elizabeth Fry Society on Maple Avenue early Sunday (Nov. 8), charging her with arson, disregard for human life and failing to comply with probation. The blaze forced nearly 40 women out of their home and sent four people to hospital for smoke inhalation.

Barrie Fire and Emergency Service responded to the call at 8:36 a.m., sending five trucks and a platoon chief. The building is a multi-unit residential facility that houses vulnerable women of various ages. "Our team did everything that was possible to ensure everyone got out safely," said Meaghan Chambers, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society. Barrie's deputy fire chief said the fire tore through the first floor, leaving smoke damage throughout the building.

Alexandra Coster-Pickering, program supervisor of community services with the County of Simcoe, said 37 people affected by the fire have been relocated to temporary accommodations, and efforts are underway to secure permanent long-term housing. Police said they arrested a woman believed to be responsible for intentionally setting the blaze shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday. The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation and the total cost of the damage has not been determined; the Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified. The Elizabeth Fry Society is making an urgent appeal for donations, including money, clothing and food, and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce says it has already begun collecting contributions from the public.

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8. Honda invests $166M to upgrade Alliston plant, securing 4,000-plus jobs

Honda Canada announced Monday it will invest $166 million to upgrade and retool its Alliston, Ont., manufacturing plant, securing more than 4,000 jobs and expanding production of future hybrid-electric vehicles and engines. The announcement comes just days after Honda marked its 40th anniversary in the town and is part of a broader $867-million commitment to bolster its North American manufacturing network and meet growing hybrid demand.

Honda Canada President and CEO Dave Jamieson said the investment reinforces the company's long-standing commitment to Canadian manufacturing. "For 40 years, Honda associates in Alliston have demonstrated the skill, innovation and commitment that have made our Canadian operations a cornerstone of Honda's manufacturing network in North America," he said, adding the money will help "position the Canadian operations for long-term competitiveness and future opportunities" while benefiting suppliers and the wider economy. New Tecumseth Mayor-Elect Stephanie MacLellan called it "a strong vote of confidence in our community, our skilled workforce and the future of automotive manufacturing," while noting there is still important work ahead and that the town must keep working with Honda and provincial and federal partners to protect local jobs. Honda says it is working with the federal and Ontario governments on the project.

The announcement follows Honda's decision in May to indefinitely pause a planned $15-billion EV expansion in Alliston, after the automaker reported a $2.7-billion full-year loss it attributed largely to "the high costs of developing electric vehicles" and shifting market conditions as U.S. policy moves away from EV incentives. Honda said it would instead focus more heavily on hybrids. Also on Monday, Honda announced a US$3-billion investment in a new plant in Ohio that will create more than 2,000 jobs and raise U.S. capacity to roughly 1.3 million vehicles a year; the facility, to be built between the East Liberty and Marysville plants, is expected to start production in 2029 with capacity of nearly 240,000 vehicles a year and will build hybrids, gasoline-powered and battery-electric vehicles. In May, Honda announced plans to launch 15 new Honda and Acura hybrid models globally by 2030.

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9. Military sends 15 nurses to Alberta to treat injured Wainwright soldiers

The military is sending 15 nurses to Alberta to relieve those who have been caring for soldiers injured three weeks ago in a deadly fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. Acute Care Alberta says the nurses are set to arrive Monday and stay for more than a month.

Eleanor Olszewski, the federal emergency management minister, said in a social media post over the weekend that Alberta requested the nursing support. She said the nurses will help at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton and Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. Four soldiers died and 39 were injured on Oct. 17 when a fast-moving grass fire overtook troops during a training exercise on the base southeast of Edmonton. Last week, the military said 25 remained in various hospitals, with two of them recovering in facilities in Ontario and British Columbia.

"These nurses will supplement our existing staffing contingent by adding both capacity and flexibility," Acute Care Alberta said Monday in an email. "This offers well-deserved respite to civilian staff who have been working around the clock to provide this highly specialized care."

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10. Canada and China sign deal to deepen financial sector ties

Canada and China have struck an agreement to deepen collaboration across their financial systems as the two countries seek closer economic ties. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu hosted He Lifeng, vice-premier of China, in Vancouver over the past two days.

After the meetings, Finance Canada released a joint statement saying the two sides agreed to "enhance financial sector co-operation," including granting greater market access for financial services and fostering engagement between Canadian and Chinese regulatory authorities. The statement adds that both sides reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and "a transparent and predictable environment" for trade and investment.

The agreement to deepen financial ties comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit China later next week for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

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