Ontario Premier Doug Ford Protests Crown Royal Job Move Urgently

URGENT UPDATE: Ontario Premier Doug Ford launched a fierce protest against Crown Royal today, dumping a bottle of the whisky in front of reporters to voice his outrage over the company’s decision to close its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. This shocking move will transfer approximately 200 jobs to the United States, sparking immediate backlash from Ford and local communities.

During a news conference in Kitchener, Ontario, Ford expressed his frustration, declaring, “You guys are about as dumb as a bag of hammers for doing this.” He dramatically emptied the bottle on the ground, urging Ontarians to support local whisky producers instead. “Start supporting companies that make whisky here in Ontario,” Ford insisted, as the amber liquid pooled at his feet.

This protest comes in response to Diageo plc, the parent company of Crown Royal, announcing last week that it will close the Amherstburg facility by February. Diageo’s North American president, Marsha McIntosh, stated the closure aims to improve the efficiency of the company’s supply chain, despite Ford’s claims that this decision jeopardizes $740 million worth of business in Ontario.

“Who targets their largest customer?” Ford questioned, emphasizing that Diageo risks substantial economic damage to the province for a mere $17 million in payroll. He criticized the company’s executives as “smug as they come,” and threatened to remove Crown Royal from store shelves at the LCBO, although he stated any action would not occur until after February.

Diageo has maintained that the decision to close the plant is not influenced by recent tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump but is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational efficiency in North America. The company stated it still values its operations in Canada, where it directly employs over 500 people, including more than 100 in Ontario.

Ford’s outburst reflects growing concerns over job losses in Ontario amidst a wave of manufacturing shifts to the U.S. “The people of Ontario support this company,” Ford asserted, highlighting the community impact of the facility’s closure. “You’re going to hurt a community; you’re going to make these people struggle.”

As this story develops, the focus remains on Diageo’s next steps and the potential economic fallout in Ontario. Ford’s call to action resonates with many local residents who fear for their jobs and the future of manufacturing in the province.

Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding situation as Ontario grapples with the implications of Crown Royal’s controversial decision.