Wab Kinew Defends Crown Royal Jobs Amid Ontario Bottling Plant Closure

UPDATE: Premier Wab Kinew has urgently defended the importance of Crown Royal, stating that the iconic whisky is a vital source of employment in Gimli, Manitoba. This reaction comes after Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized the company’s plans to close its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, which will result in 200 job losses next year.

Kinew emphasized the significance of supporting Canadian-made products during a press conference on July 19, 2023. “Crown Royal employs a ton of people in Gimli, Manitoba,” Kinew stated. “If you buy Crown Royal, you’re supporting Manitoba jobs.” His remarks serve as a rallying call for whisky drinkers to recognize the brand’s Canadian roots.

The announcement from Diageo, Crown Royal’s parent company, indicates that it will shift some of its bottling operations to the United States, prompting Ford to declare, “You hurt my people, I’m going to hurt you.” However, specific retaliatory actions from Ford remain unclear.

Kinew referred to Crown Royal as “the pride of Gimli” and urged consumers to continue purchasing the whisky to ensure ongoing employment in the region. “Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled, and aged at its Canadian facilities,” he confirmed, noting that the bottling for the Canadian market will still occur in Canada.

Concerns have been raised that Ontario might remove Crown Royal from its provincial liquor stores as a response to the ongoing trade tensions that have escalated in recent years. However, Kinew reassured that the whisky’s production is firmly rooted in Manitoba, making it a product that Canadians should buy. “There’s a whole supply chain and businesses that support Crown,” he added, highlighting the broader economic benefits for Manitoba.

Kinew, who has maintained a positive relationship with Ford, does not believe this issue will strain their rapport. “We have a good relationship, Premier Ford and I,” he stated confidently.

As the situation unfolds, residents of Manitoba and Ontario will be closely monitoring the impact of these developments on local economies and job security. The future of Crown Royal’s production in Canada remains a critical topic as consumers and officials alike advocate for the preservation of Canadian jobs.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The fate of 200 jobs and the future of a beloved Canadian whisky brand hang in the balance.