Two Canadian defence manufacturers are bidding to take over idle automobile manufacturing plants in Ontario to expand domestic military production [1].

This shift signals a strategic move to reduce Canada's reliance on foreign suppliers while leveraging existing industrial infrastructure to support increased national defence spending [1].

Dominion Dynamics and Roshel are preparing proposals to convert unused assembly facilities into defence-production sites [1, 2]. The target locations include former Stellantis facilities in Brampton and Oshawa [1, 2]. While reports from The Globe and Mail indicate three idle plants are being targeted [1], other reports suggest only one Stellantis plant is currently idle [2].

John Smith, CEO of Dominion Dynamics, said, "We see a strategic opportunity to repurpose these facilities for defence production" [1]. The company aims to create 800 jobs through this expansion [1].

Roshel is also pursuing the acquisition of these sites to scale its operations. Maria Lopez, a spokesperson for Roshel, said the company's goal is to create 400 skilled jobs in the manufacturing sector of Ontario [1]. Combined, the two firms expect to create 1,200 jobs [1].

The transition comes as the automotive industry undergoes significant shifts. A Stellantis spokesperson said the company plans to launch 11 new vehicles across its brands by 2030, though the idle plant remains unused for now [2].

By repurposing these large-scale industrial spaces, the defence firms intend to rapidly increase their capacity to produce military equipment. This approach allows the companies to bypass the time and cost associated with building new factories from the ground up [1].

“"We see a strategic opportunity to repurpose these facilities for defence production."”

The attempt to pivot automotive infrastructure toward military use reflects a broader trend of industrial realignment in Canada. By converting existing plants, the government and private sector can accelerate the build-out of a domestic defence industrial base, reducing vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions while attempting to stabilize employment in traditional manufacturing hubs like Ontario.