Ontario Mayor Optimistic About Saving 168 Jobs at Diageo Plant

The mayor of Amherstburg, Ontario, is expressing optimism regarding the potential preservation of jobs at the local Diageo bottling facility. Mayor Michael Prue announced that Premier Doug Ford has indicated interest from three companies aiming to take over the operation, which is set to close in February 2026, impacting 168 unionized employees.

In August, Diageo, the British company known for producing Crown Royal, revealed plans to shut down its Amherstburg bottling plant. The facility’s operations for the U.S. market will be moved to the United States, while production for Canadian consumers is slated to shift to Valleyfield, Quebec. This closure raises significant concerns for the local economy, which relies heavily on the jobs provided by the plant.

During a council meeting on Tuesday, Prue shared details of ongoing negotiations. “The premier has announced there are three interested parties to take over the Diageo plant. We have been working, in this town, primarily with one of them,” he stated. While he could not disclose the names or origins of the interested parties, Prue confirmed that they have made proposals to acquire the plant along with its workforce.

Prue acknowledged that the negotiations have encountered some challenges, yet he remains hopeful. “The discussions are going very well and we’re hoping that the proponent who wishes to buy this plant is able to do so,” he remarked. Should the sale proceed, the intention is to retain all 168 unionized employees.

The situation intensified following Diageo’s announcement, prompting Ford to publicly criticize the company’s decision. In a notable display of discontent, he poured out a bottle of Crown Royal during a news conference, labeling the closure “ill-conceived.” On October 6, Ford escalated his stance by threatening to leverage the purchasing power of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), suggesting he might remove Crown Royal and Smirnoff vodka, both Diageo products, from store shelves. “The only people that cost jobs and revenues is Diageo,” he stated.

Diageo has clarified that the decision to close the Ontario facility is not related to tariffs imposed by the United States government. The company noted similar operational changes in locations such as the United States, Italy, and Scotland.

Prue remains focused on the potential for a positive outcome. “We’re working very hard on this. All we can do is wait and see what happens. The big hammer, of course, is held by the premier,” he said. He emphasized that there is “very real hope” for a resolution that could prevent job losses before the scheduled closure date.