Greg Layson

Auto News Canada Digital & Mobile Editor. Host: The Auto News Canada Podcast. If I were a car, I'd be built for comfort, I ain't built for speed.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

How is Microsoft Outlook STILL down?

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

I love Melanie Joly acting tough. Stellantis already volunteered to pay the money back. Yesterday. Before she sent them ANOTHER letter today.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@AlexpiersonAMP @MarkJCarney @melaniejoly I have a suggestion. You should read my column.
https://t.co/VNPBHHcDsO

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

Been a wild week in auto. Thank goodness for some freelance time away. How about some photos from the WECSSAA AA Football Championship, won by the Essex Red Raiders (my old team!)

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

People shocked that there was/is an out clause in contracts between unions and gov’t funding blows my mind. I have known this since I was a kid and my dad explained it to me when he was in CAW. And I’m 50. There is ALWAYS an out, folks. Companies won’t hold themselves hostage.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

How I imagine the conversation in the room with Stellantis, Unifor, the federal government and provincial government. This situation is absolute madness.

https://t.co/wfWG9BUGzQ

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

How is federal EV policy & corporate mismanagement the fault of the premier of Ontario?

Ford helped saved NextStar, which IS up and running. He has been ringing the alarm bells about China louder than anyone.

And, he's against knock-down kits.

@fordnation is hardly to blame

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

This is such a mess. Stellantis is betraying the workers who built their presence here in Canada and it’s clear that Doug Ford has no plan for the job losses.

If Doug Ford was waiting for a wake-up call to start showing up for workers, this is it.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

Everything is just fine at Stellantis. Nothing to see here. Totally normal hirings and exits.

https://t.co/AXRUBa8BnP

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@INoScared @IMTHATGUY1693 You do know that if VW/PowerCo doesn't make a battery, it doesn't get money beyond the capital investment right? The money for batteries has a shelf life/expiration date. It's actually GOOD for taxpayers that it's not making batteries today.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

Random thought: The gov't had BILLIONS of tax dollars to fund EV battery factories and plant upgrades for EVs and had the gumption to — with the U.S. — force automakers to spend to electrify. But suddenly, they can't save Stellantis Brampton and the 2,000+ workers there?

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@INoScared @IMTHATGUY1693 Tell me you don't read Automotive News Canada without telling me you don't read Automotive News Canada.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@xerofarmer @cbcwatcher Where are those? I'd love to take a look.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

Do I believe Ottawa knew Roshel's plan months ago? Yes. It's a defence plan, not just an auto strategy. Do I believe ministers met directly with Roshel? Probably not. Do I believe the feds guided Roshel? Had input? Gave direction? Doubt it. But again: Just be transparent.

[cbcwatcher @cbcwatcher]

Carney, pressed by Graham Richardson on indications his government was more involved in the Roshel deal than he admitted and he clearly had prior knowledge:

“Being informed or being aware of some aspects is not the same as Stellantis providing a global solution… A partial solution is a step. It is not a global solution. That is a betrayal.”

That’s a dodge. CTV sources, Roshel’s own CEO and even finally CBC's own 'sources' say Ottawa was in over a dozen meetings, knew the terms, got positive feedback, and didn’t block it—then Carney performed fake public outrage once it was public

He won’t own the private engagement. He just redefines the deal he didn’t stop as “not comprehensive enough,” blames Stellantis, and wanders off stage into China and a Philippines FTA. Typical weasel Carney: strong words of principle, zero accountability for the government’s actual role

Workers get the theatre. Not the clarity or the jobs. Never Carney's fault. Never the truth @MarkJCarney

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@INoScared @IMTHATGUY1693 Show me how investments in auto, which generates tax revenue on many levels, and employs a supply chain of thousands, doesn't pay back. I'm sure you have the data, right? I'll wait.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@INoScared @IMTHATGUY1693 So, end subsidies to:
Oil, Lumber, Fisheries, Grocers, Aerospace, Steel, Agriculture, the Arts, too, right?
And end supply management, too, right?

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@NormSNLJokes One of my all-time favourite Norm jokes.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@CoryMaillett This is what I THOUGHT was going to happen. I originally thought a year ago (or more) that:
1. USMCA is settled
2. Unifor/D3 get a contract
3. Gov't kicks money into Brampton

I think we're past that.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

Oh, and do I believe the PM and cabinet are engaging in theatre just to keep both sides happy? Absolutely.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

I'll buy that for a dollar.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@IMTHATGUY1693 @INoScared Yeah, the feds/Ontario combined to pay for 54 — FIFTY FOUR!! — per cent of Honda's latest investment.

[Greg Layson @GLaysonANC]

@INoScared @IMTHATGUY1693 You know the union represents 9,000 workers at Stellantis, right? Not just Brampton. And the plan to sell was in the works before the strike vote ever happened. Before talks even started. Read the room, indeed. Troll along.