Manitoba’s leader has urged Doug Ford to reconsider the decision to remove Crown Royal from liquor store shelves in Ontario. Wab Kinew emphasized the importance of a unified “Team Canada” approach in the face of trade challenges, expressing concern that targeting jobs in other provinces could weaken the collective stance against the U.S. trade war.
Ford had announced intentions to delist Crown Royal from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario once Diageo, the brand’s owner, closes a bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ontario. Despite Ford’s statement that jobs would be relocated south of the border, Diageo confirmed plans to transfer bottling operations to a plant in Valleyfield, Quebec, while assuring the continuity of operations in Gimli, Manitoba.
Kinew stressed the significance of maintaining Crown Royal’s Canadian production for it to be recognized as Canadian whisky. Local officials in Gimli echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the economic importance of the Diageo plant to the community.
Barry Sawyer, representing the union of workers at the Gimli plant, warned that Ford’s stance could negatively impact Canadian workers. He highlighted the uncertainty caused by ongoing trade disputes, emphasizing the need for unity among Canadians during challenging times.
Kinew extended an invitation to Ford for a meeting to resolve the issue, emphasizing the need to protect Canadian jobs across provinces. In response to potential retaliatory actions, Kinew stated that Manitoba would not engage in tit-for-tat measures, aiming to avoid actions that could harm Canadian jobs in another province.