Days after Manitoba raised concerns, Quebec is now criticizing Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s impending ban on Crown Royal whisky produced in Amherstburg. Quebec’s finance minister is voicing apprehensions regarding the Ontario government’s decision to remove the liquor from government-operated liquor stores next month.
Premier Doug Ford’s action follows U.K. whisky giant Diageo’s announcement to shut down its bottling plant near Windsor, resulting in the loss of approximately 200 union jobs and permanent closure next month. Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard has conveyed his worries to his Ontario counterpart, emphasizing that amidst trade tensions with the U.S., it is not the appropriate time for actions that could undermine Canadian supply chains.
Similarly, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew made a similar plea to Ford, urging him not to proceed with the boycott to safeguard the company’s bottling plant in Gimli. The Diageo-owned Amherstburg property was put up for sale in late 2025. Workers at the plant approved a closure agreement in December, entailing enhanced entitlements to support employees during the transition.
Diageo has affirmed that Crown Royal whisky will still be produced in Canada, with mashing, distilling, and aging operations remaining in the country. However, the decision to shift some bottling activities closer to U.S. consumers was made. The company stated, “Diageo will uphold its substantial presence in Canada, including operations at our Canadian headquarters and warehouses in the Greater Toronto Area, as well as bottling and distillation facilities in Gimli, Manitoba, and Valleyfield, Quebec.” The Amherstburg facility has been bottling Crown Royal since 1971.