From Brampton to Windsor: A Family’s Choice to Preserve Ontario Auto Jobs
The automotive industry has long been a heartbeat of Ontario, employing thousands across cities and towns. In Brampton, a longstanding Stellantis assembly plant became more than a workplace for one family; it became a legacy. After 28 years on the line, Joseph Jacildo found that the only option to keep Stellantis jobs in Ontario, and to preserve a way of life built around the factory floor, was to make a dramatic move—not just for himself, but for his wife, three daughters, and their partners as well.
A Family Business Built on an Assembly Line
For decades, the Jacildo family transitioned from neighbors to teammates on the Brampton assembly line. The plant was more than a workplace; it was a shared rhythm—early alarms, careful checks, and a cycle of shifts that meant meals and holidays often revolved around production timelines. What began with Joseph, who dedicated 28 years to the job, evolved into a family enterprise. His wife joined the factory’s day shift, followed by each of their daughters and, eventually, the partners who married into the family’s manufacturing narrative.
More Than Skill: A Shared Identity
In manufacturing, the work is skilled, precise, and exacting. In the Jacildo household, those traits translated into a daily culture: attention to detail, a commitment to safety, and a stubborn belief in Ontario’s manufacturing future. The family’s decision to move wasn’t only about health care, cost of living, or schooling; it was about continuity—keeping the region’s auto jobs intact and ensuring the next generation could grow up with similar opportunities at home.
The Move to Windsor: A Calculated Risk
Windsor, just across the border from nearby Detroit, has long served as a corridor for automotive manufacturing in Ontario. The Jacildos approached the relocation with a plan: secure positions with Stellantis at the Windsor site, maintain the family’s employment arc, and minimize disruption for their children and grandchildren. Housing, schooling, and community ties were factored in, but the primary goal was clear—keep Ontario’s auto jobs within the province and sustain a local supply of skilled workers for a company that has become a pillar of the regional economy.
Community Impact: Local Labor and Regional Growth
The decision to relocate is not merely personal. It has broader implications for the Windsor region’s labor market and manufacturing ecosystem. Employers like Stellantis rely on experienced teams, and family-driven transitions can help preserve institutional knowledge while attracting new workers who see stability and opportunity in Ontario. The Jacildos’ move signals a confidence in Windsor’s capacity to host skilled auto production and in Ontario’s commitment to maintaining a robust domestic supply chain.
What This Means for Ontario’s Auto Industry
Ontario’s auto sector has faced challenges from global supply chains, automation, and shifting demand. However, the Brampton-to-Windsor relocation underscores a resilient truth: people are often the most critical asset in maintaining production lines. The Jacildo family’s experience demonstrates how workers adapt, relocate, and reestablish themselves to keep manufacturing jobs in Ontario. It also highlights the importance of regional collaboration among municipalities, unions, and manufacturers to support workers who make difficult life changes for the sake of industry continuity.
A Message for Workers and Communities
For other families weighing similar choices, the Jacildos offer a narrative of commitment and pragmatism. The decision to move is layered—economic realities, family welfare, and a shared belief in the value of Ontario’s manufacturing sector. As Stellantis continues its operations in Windsor, the story of this eight-member family serves as a reminder that jobs in the auto sector are more than lines on a chart—they’re lifelines that connect homes, neighborhoods, and the broader economy.
Conclusion: A Future Built in Ontario
Ultimately, the Jacildo family’s relocation is about investing in Ontario’s manufacturing future while honoring a multi-generational work ethic. By choosing Windsor, they are reinforcing the region’s status as a hub for automotive assembly and proving that when communities come together, they can preserve not just jobs but a shared way of life that depends on skilled labor, local investment, and a steadfast belief in Ontario’s auto industry.
