The leader of Manitoba's official opposition is calling on Ontario Premier Doug Ford to reverse his decision to pull a Manitoba-made whisky from provincial liquor store shelves, warning the political gesture puts jobs at risk.
A Letter of Appeal from Winnipeg to Queen's Park
In a letter sent on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Manitoba Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan directly appealed to Ontario Premier Doug Ford to reconsider his plan to remove Crown Royal from Ontario Liquor Control Board (LCBO) stores. The letter was co-signed by Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson, who represents the riding containing the Crown Royal distilleries in Gimli, Manitoba.
Ford's boycott threat is a retaliatory measure against parent company Diageo for its decision to shutter a Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, and move that production to the United States. The closure is scheduled for next month.
Shared Conservative Values Versus Economic Fallout
Khan's letter emphasized the shared principles between the two conservative leaders, including supporting private industry and reducing consumer taxes. However, he argued that the boycott contradicts the goal of fostering job growth and investment across Canada.
"As Canadian conservative leaders, we should be working together to attract investment and create new jobs across Canada," Khan wrote. "A Crown Royal boycott in Ontario could jeopardize Manitoba jobs. That's an outcome we want to avoid during these uncertain economic times."
He highlighted that every bottle of Crown Royal sold in Canada is distilled in Gimli, Manitoba, where workers take pride in producing what he called the world's best whisky.
Ford Stands Firm on His Stance
Premier Ford first announced his dramatic plan in September 2025, famously pouring a bottle of Crown Royal down a drain during a news conference. When asked by reporters on Monday, January 5, 2026, if he would follow through, Ford was unequivocal.
"One hundred per cent," Ford stated at Queen's Park. "But I'm not going to waste another bottle of Crown Royal dumping it."
The move has drawn criticism from within conservative circles. Federal Conservative MP and former Ontario PC MPP Roman Baber criticized Ford's approach on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on January 8, 2026.
"Every drop of Crown Royal sold in Canada is made in Gimli, Manitoba!" Baber wrote. "Think of the harm that Doug's message is doing to Ontario as a potential place to invest or start a business."
The Core Conflict: Provincial Retaliation vs. National Unity
The dispute underscores the tension between a province's desire to retaliate against corporate decisions that hurt its workers and the potential unintended consequences for workers in another province. Khan's final plea in his letter framed the issue as one requiring cooperative leadership.
"I appeal to you as a fellow Progressive Conservative Leader to leave Crown Royal on LCBO shelves next month and into the future, and work together to attract new investment to Ontario and Manitoba," he concluded.
As of now, Premier Ford has not publicly indicated any change in his position, setting the stage for the boycott to proceed as Diageo's Amherstburg plant prepares to close its doors.
