Ontario Premier Doug Ford says to “top off” on Crown Royal, confirming he plans to strip the Canadian whisky from the cabinets of the LCBO in retaliation for a deliberate plant closure.
The premier has repeated the risk for months, saying he’ll use the province’s monopoly on alcohol gross sales to punish worldwide drinks producer Diageo for its determination to shut a bottling plant in southwestern Ontario.
The corporate introduced in August it will stop operations at its Amherstburg facility, citing international restructuring as the explanation, moderately than tariffs.
It mentioned bottling on the manufacturing facility supposed for the U.S. market might be shifting stateside, whereas bottling for Canadian shoppers will relocate to its Valleyfield, Que., location.
Ford mentioned he was livid and had unsuccessfully supplied to seek out methods to help the plant if the corporate selected to remain. In September 2025, he emptied a bottle of Crown Royal in protest on the finish of a information convention and mentioned he could take away all Diageo merchandise from the LCBO.
On Monday, he confirmed he would take away Crown Royal from the company’s catalogue, however mentioned different Diageo merchandise, together with Gordon’s Gin, Smirnoff Vodka and Guinness, can be left untouched.
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“I’m simply going to deal with Crown Royal for now,” Ford mentioned, confirming he was “100 per cent” planning to take away the liquor.
The choice to not go after the broader Diageo product vary seems to be a step again from the premier’s most extreme risk. “Then we’ll have a look at Smirnoff subsequent, ” he mentioned final 12 months.
Whereas Ford mentioned different merchandise received’t be affected, he made it clear Crown Royal might be eliminated.
“As quickly as they shut that plant. So, you higher top off there,” he mentioned.
Domestically in Amherstburg, the mayor has expressed optimism {that a} tenant might be discovered for the bottling facility who will maintain the unionized staff employed.
Mayor Michael Prue informed councillors in October final 12 months that Ford has mentioned there are three firms thinking about taking on Diageo’s operation within the city.
The plant is scheduled to shut in February 2026, affecting 168 unionized workers and doubtlessly impacting the native financial system.
— With recordsdata from International Information’ Aaron D’Andrea
© 2026 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
