Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared his intention to remove Crown Royal from the shelves of provincial liquor stores if Diageo proceeds with the closure of a nearly century-old bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. During a passionate address at a union rally, Ford pledged unwavering support for the approximately 200 employees facing job loss at the southwestern Ontario facility.
Speaking at the rally in Brampton, Ford emphatically stated his stance towards Diageo, emphasizing that Crown Royal products would no longer be available at LCBO stores following the plant closure. This marked Ford’s strongest stance yet on potentially directing the LCBO, a major global alcohol purchaser, to cease selling Crown Royal in response to Diageo’s recent announcement.
In a televised press conference early in September, Ford symbolically poured out a bottle of Crown Royal, expressing his discontent with Diageo’s decision to shut down the plant. While Ford threatened consequences for Diageo, he did not confirm at that time whether he would take action to remove Crown Royal from LCBO shelves, a move advocated by the plant workers’ union.
Diageo, a UK-based company known for various alcohol brands like Guinness and Smirnoff, justified the plant closure as part of a strategy to enhance supply chain efficiency. Despite the closure, Diageo reassured that Crown Royal’s production processes, including mashing, distillation, and aging, would remain in Canada as they have since 1939.
The president of Unifor Local 200, representing plant workers, urged Ford to promptly halt sales of all Diageo products at the LCBO to exert immediate financial pressure. He highlighted the potential impact on Diageo’s bottom line and speculated on the company’s willingness to negotiate if faced with significant revenue loss.
Ford’s office refrained from specifying whether all Diageo products would be pulled from provincial liquor stores or if this action would occur earlier than February. Diageo reiterated its commitment to supporting affected employees during the transition, emphasizing adherence to collective agreements and legal obligations.
As discussions between union representatives, Ford, and Diageo continue, the fate of Crown Royal’s presence in Ontario’s liquor stores remains uncertain. The closure of the Amherstburg plant has stirred tensions, with calls for accountability and support echoing across the community.
