Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared he "can't wait" to remove Crown Royal whisky from Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) shelves. This strong stance is a direct response to alcohol giant Diageo's decision to shut down its bottling plant in Amherstburg, a move that will result in the loss of approximately 200 jobs.
A Symbolic Gesture and a Firm Threat
The Premier's latest comments, made during his first news conference of the year at Queen's Park on Monday, follow a dramatic protest in September 2025. At that time, Ford famously emptied a bottle of Crown Royal during a press conference to express his outrage over Diageo's plans. "One hundred per cent," Ford affirmed when asked if he would follow through on removing the product. "But I'm not going to waste another bottle of Crown Royal dumping it." He described the company's choice to close the Ontario facility as "as dumb as a bag of hammers."
Plant Closure and Union Response
The Amherstburg bottling plant is scheduled to close its doors in February. Diageo has stated the closure is part of an effort to streamline its supply chains and is not an exit from Canada, noting that Crown Royal will continue to be produced in the country. However, for the local workforce, the impact is severe.
Unifor Local 200, the union representing the plant's workers, has backed the Premier's retaliatory measure. President John D'Agnolo, who represents more than 160 employees, suggested Ford could take an even harder line. "He's not backing down, but if Doug Ford was smart, I would take everything they sell off the shelf," D'Agnolo told the Windsor Star. He believes Diageo made a "huge mistake" that will impact its sales in the province.
Despite having no strike leverage, the union secured a closure agreement in December that provided enhanced support for workers, including:
- Additional severance pay beyond the standard two weeks per year of service.
- Credits for employees nearing retirement.
- Extended benefits coverage.
- Funding for an action centre to assist with resumes and job searches.
D'Agnolo acknowledged that while some workers have found new employment, "every one of those people would rather be working at Diageo."
Economic and Political Repercussions
The closure of the Amherstburg facility represents a significant economic blow to southern Ontario and has become a flashpoint in provincial politics. Premier Ford framed his aggressive response as a defense of Ontario jobs and a message to other corporations. The move to potentially delist a best-selling product like Crown Royal from the LCBO—Ontario's single-biggest customer for the whisky—is an unprecedented step that highlights the tension between global corporate decisions and local economic interests.
As the February shutdown date approaches, the fate of Crown Royal on provincial shelves remains a symbol of this ongoing conflict, with workers, the union, and the Premier's office watching closely to see the final outcome of this high-stakes dispute.
