Stellantis plan to shift output to US sparks Canadian concern

OTTAWA, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Senior Canadian politicians are expressing concern at a decision by automaker Stellantis MV STLAM.MI to shift production of one model from the industrial province of Ontario to a plant in Illinois.

In a statement on Tuesday night, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa had made clear it expected Stellantis to fulfill the undertakings it had made to the workers of the company's Brampton plant.

"We are working with the company to develop the right measures to protect Stellantis employees," he said.

Stellantis announced a $13 billion investment in the U.S. on Tuesday, a move it said will bring five new models to the market and add 5,000 jobs in plants across the Midwest over the next four years.

As part of the plan, production of the Jeep Compass will move from Brampton to Illinois. Stellantis had paused retooling of the Canadian plant in February, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced tariffs against Canadian goods, upending the highly integrated North American auto industry.

Ontario is Canada's industrial heartland and accounts for about 40% of national GDP.

"I have spoken with Stellantis to stress my disappointment with their decision," Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on social media on Wednesday.

Stellantis spokesperson LouAnn Gosselin said the company was investing in Canada and noted plans to add a third shift to a plant in Windsor, Ontario.

"Canada is very important to us. We have plans for Brampton and will share them upon further discussions with the Canadian government," she said in an emailed statement.