A member of the federal Conservative Party representing Manitoba criticized Ontario Premier Doug Ford for threatening to remove Crown Royal from store shelves without having all the necessary information. James Bezan, the MP for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman, where Crown Royal is made, expressed his views on the matter via a social media platform. Bezan highlighted that Crown Royal is a Manitoba-produced whisky, emphasizing its status as Canada’s leading export spirit.
Crown Royal is manufactured at Diageo’s facility in Gimli, Manitoba. Despite this, Diageo, the UK-based owner of Crown Royal, announced the closure of its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. Ford reiterated his intention to delist Crown Royal from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario once the Ontario plant shuts down in February, citing concerns about job shifts to the U.S.
In response, Bezan warned that Manitoba might retaliate against Ontario, potentially targeting Ontario wine sales. Ontario plant workers had previously approved a closure agreement, and Diageo assured continued whisky production for Canadian and non-U.S. markets at its Quebec facility post-closure.
Ford’s stance has faced criticism from various quarters. Manitoba officials emphasized the importance of supporting Canadian products and jobs, while local authorities in Gimli underscored the positive impact of Crown Royal’s operations on the community. Analysts questioned the rationale behind Ford’s decision, suggesting that it could trigger an unnecessary interprovincial trade dispute.