Mayor hopes GM closure report ‘a rumour’
OSHAWA — The mayor of Oshawa says he hopes the report of the pending closure of a General Motors plant in the city is “just a rumour.”
CTV News reports that General Motors Canada plans to close its manufacturing plant in Oshawa, affecting thousands of jobs.
Mayor John Henry says he has seen the published reports but hasn’t heard from GM — which is the city’s main employer.
A spokesperson for GM Canada said the company had no news to share Sunday night and would not comment on speculation.
According to the company’s website, the Oshawa Assembly Plant employs 2,522 workers with Unifor Local 222.
Henry says the economic impact of a closure would extend beyond the plant itself.
Jennifer French, who represents the city in the provincial legislature, says the report of the plant closure is “gravely concerning.”
“If GM Canada is indeed turning its back on 100 years of industry and community ... then this is a callous decision that must be fought,” she said in a statement.