Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has launched a personal appeal to his Ontario counterpart, urging him to abandon a planned boycott of Crown Royal whisky and maintain a united national front.
A Barrel of Persuasion in Gimli
During a press event at the Crown Royal production plant in Gimli, Manitoba, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Premier Wab Kinew made a symbolic gesture. He signed the name of Ontario Premier Doug Ford onto a barrel of the blended whisky. Kinew publicly pleaded with Ford to "do the right thing when you have a chance to reconsider." In a further attempt at diplomacy, Kinew offered to fly Ford to Winnipeg to discuss the issue over a weekend NHL game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Gimli facility, located north of Winnipeg, is a significant local employer. Approximately 75 people work at the plant where the whisky is mashed, distilled, and aged, using ingredients sourced from Canadian farmers. Diageo, Crown Royal's parent company, also operates a similar facility in Valleyfield, Quebec.
The Root of Ontario's Boycott Threat
The dispute stems from a decision by Diageo to close its blending and bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, near Windsor. The closure, which is scheduled for February 2026, will affect about 200 employees. Premier Ford, who has criticized the move as "as dumb as a bag of hammers," believes it will ultimately shift more jobs to the United States. In response, he vowed earlier this month to remove Crown Royal products from the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO).
Ford first threatened the boycott when Diageo announced its closure plans late last year, citing a need to streamline costs. At a news conference in Kitchener, Ford dramatically poured out a bottle of the whisky to emphasize his stance.
A Call for Unity and Ford's Firm Response
Kinew framed his request as a matter of national solidarity. "I'm asking you (Ford) to reconsider because this is about sticking together as Team Canada," Kinew told reporters. "We know that we're standing together against the U.S. But a house divided against itself cannot stand. We've got to stick together as provincial leaders."
Kinew is not the only politician to reach out. Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan also sent a letter to Ford, highlighting their shared values of supporting private-sector jobs.
Despite the charm offensive, Premier Ford indicated his position remains firm. After a phone call with Kinew on Tuesday, Ford acknowledged that the Manitoba premier was simply doing his job to protect local employment. "I'm protecting jobs here in Ontario and he respects that. I respect him," Ford stated. He added, "Crown Royal should have thought twice before closing their plant here."
Kinew has stated that even if Ontario proceeds with the boycott, Manitoba will not retaliate with measures that could harm Canadian jobs in other provinces.
