Premier pours out a bottle of Crown Royal to protest Diageo closing an Ontario plant

Ontario Premier Doug Ford made headlines when he poured a bottle of Crown Royal whisky on the ground during a press conference in Kitchener. This dramatic gesture was in response to the parent company Diageo’s decision to close its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario.

Ford expressed his frustration with the company, stating, “This is what I think about Crown Royal. That’s what they can do.” He criticized Diageo for their plan to close the plant in February 2026, calling the company “dumb as a bag of hammers” for the decision.

The announcement by Diageo has prompted calls for a boycott of the brand and suggestions to pull Crown Royal from LCBO shelves. Ford even threatened the CEO, saying, “A message to the CEO in France: you hurt my people, I’m gonna hurt you.”

Workers at the plant, represented by Unifor Local 200, expressed concerns about losing their jobs and the impact on the community. Union leadership met to discuss the situation and explore options to support the workers.

In response to Ford’s comments, Diageo has not yet issued a statement. The company highlighted in a previous statement that Crown Royal will continue to be produced in Canada, despite the closure of the Amherstburg plant.

The union president, John D’Agnolo, has been in talks with the province about pulling Crown Royal from LCBO shelves as a statement of solidarity with the affected workers. He emphasized the importance of supporting one another in times of economic uncertainty.

In southwestern Ontario, the mayor of St. Clair Township expressed disappointment over Diageo’s decision to pause plans for a new factory in the area. Despite the setback, he remains hopeful that the company may reconsider their decision in the future.

The impact of Ontario’s choice to pull U.S. booze from LCBO shelves is also being felt in the United States. Sales to Canada have reportedly dropped by 60%, leading to concerns among American businesses. Janet Patton, a business reporter, highlighted the significant consequences of this decision on both sides of the border.

Overall, the closure of the Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg has sparked a debate about economic policies, trade relations, and the importance of supporting local industries. The future of the plant and its workers remains uncertain, but efforts are being made to address the challenges faced by the community.