OTTAWA—General Motors is pushing ahead with the closure of its plant in Oshawa, telling Premier Doug Ford and federal innovation minister Navdeep Bains this week that there’s no business case to keep it open.In a statement released Tuesday, the auto giant said it told the two levels of government that it would continue to be a “major manufacturer” in Canada with plants in Ingersoll and St. Catharines, and expansion of automotive engineering, software and testing work at sites around the province.But it was firm that it would not reverse its Nov. 26 announcement that it would end operations at the Oshawa assembly plant — which employs 2,600 workers — at the end of the year.“GM reaffirmed that it does not have a viable business case for production at Oshawa Assembly past the end of this year because of rapid changes in the North American car market, the cancellation of Oshawa products and persistent low utilization at the plant,” GM said in its statement.Bains met with Mary Barra, the chair and CEO of General Motors, in Detroit on Monday on the sidelines of the North American International Auto Show and urged her to reconsider the decision to close the plant.“I regret that GM’s position on Oshawa has not changed,” Bains said in a statement, adding that Ottawa will play an active role to find a “solution” for the workers.“GM is making a mistake by giving up on Oshawa’s workers, and we’re not about to do the same,” Bains said.Read more:With GM plant closing, Ontario loses its golden gooseOpinion | Shawn Micaleff: Oshawa shutdown was a shock, but it wasn’t a surpriseOntario confident GM’s plant closing won’t start broader exodusFord and Todd Smith, Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation and trade, were also in Detroit for the auto show and held their own meetings with GM. Ford said he was pleased to hear GM’s commitment ...
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