Overview
- Doug Ford said he will order the LCBO to remove Crown Royal as soon as Diageo shuts its Amherstburg, Ont., bottling plant in February 2026 and he is targeting only that brand for now.
- Diageo says Crown Royal will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged in Canada, with bottling for Canada and other non‑U.S. markets moving to Salaberry‑de‑Valleyfield, Que., and U.S.‑market bottling shifting to a new Alabama facility.
- Ford rejects the company’s assurances, alleging the whisky is ultimately moving to Alabama, a claim Diageo disputes.
- Union leaders note the closure affects roughly 168–200 workers in Amherstburg and warn a sales ban could put jobs in Manitoba and Quebec at risk.
- Consumer advocates and opposition politicians accuse the government of weaponizing the LCBO and argue the move could deter investment and limit consumer choice.