A well known Canadian whisky has caused a rare public disagreement between two Canadian provinces.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew usually get along. This time, they do not. The reason is Crown Royal whisky.
What Started the Problem
The trouble began when Diageo, the company that owns Crown Royal, announced it would close a bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. The plant has been running for nearly fifty years and employs more than two hundred workers.
Diageo said the decision was part of a supply chain change. The company plans to move bottling for Canada and other markets to Quebec. It did not say it was moving work to the United States.
Doug Ford was furious. At a press event, he poured a full bottle of Crown Royal onto the ground. He called for a boycott and said Ontario would remove the whisky from its government run liquor stores.
Ford also claimed the company would eventually move jobs to Alabama, even though Diageo has not confirmed that.
Why Manitoba Is Worried
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says Ford’s decision could hurt Canadian workers. Crown Royal is distilled in Gimli, a small town in Manitoba with just over two thousand residents.
The distillery is one of the town’s biggest employers. If Ontario stops selling Crown Royal, it could affect jobs in Gimli.
Kinew visited the distillery and asked Ford to rethink his decision. He said standing up for Canadian workers should not mean harming workers in another province.
A Canadian Brand With History
Crown Royal is not just another drink. It was created in nineteen thirty nine during a royal visit to Canada by King George the Sixth. Over time, it became one of the most famous Canadian whisky brands.
Because of that history, many people see this fight as more than just business.
Politics and Public Reaction
Doug Ford has built his image on fighting US tariffs and protecting Ontario jobs. He previously pushed to remove American alcohol from Canadian stores, which caused tension with the United States.
His hard stance on Crown Royal has support from the union representing workers at the Ontario bottling plant. The union says Ford is doing the right thing to defend local jobs.
Can This Be Resolved
When asked if he would change his mind about removing Crown Royal from Ontario stores, Ford was direct. He said no.
For now, the disagreement continues, with a famous Canadian whisky caught in the middle.
