Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacts to closure of Crown Royal plant with whisky dump.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted angrily to the closure of a plant that bottles Crown Royal by pouring out a bottle of whisky at a press conference. The move, announced by Diageo, will affect 200 jobs and shift some bottling volume to the US. Ford called the decision "dumb as a bag of hammers" and encouraged others to dump the whisky, suggesting they support Ontario-made whisky instead.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reacted strongly to Diageo's announcement of closing a Crown Royal whisky bottling plant in Ontario. The decision, part of Diageo's strategy to improve its North American supply chain, will result in the loss of 200 jobs and shift bottling operations to a facility in Quebec [2].

In a press conference, Ford expressed his displeasure with the move, stating, "You guys are about as dumb as a bag of hammers for doing this." He noted that the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) spends C$740 million ($540 million) annually on Diageo products. Ford's response was dramatic, as he proceeded to pour a large bottle of Crown Royal onto the ground, symbolizing his disapproval [1].

Ford also called for a boycott of Diageo products, encouraging others to support Ontario-made whisky. He emphasized that the closure would cause significant economic impacts, particularly in the Amherstburg area where the plant is located. The premier's combative political style has been a hallmark of his tenure, having led his Progressive Conservatives to victory in 2018 and easily won reelection in 2022 [1].

Diageo, the world's largest spirits maker, has not specified how many jobs will be lost but has stated it will support impacted employees and work closely with labour unions. The closure is part of Diageo's broader strategy to shift some of its bottling volume closer to U.S. customers [2].

The LCBO's recent ban on U.S. alcohol products in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs adds to the complexity of the situation. Ford's actions and statements reflect a broader economic and political context in Ontario, where job losses and economic shifts are sensitive issues [1].

References:

[1] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/ontario-premier-vows-hurt-diageo-183903149.html

[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/spirits-maker-diageo-close-ontario-143015532.html