Ontario has confirmed that Crown Royal will continue to be available in the province’s liquor stores following an agreement with parent company Diageo, which involves nearly $23 million in investments in the alcohol and agriculture sectors. However, local officials and the workers’ union expressed disappointment as the deal does not address the imminent job losses scheduled for the end of the month at the Amherstburg bottling plant.
Premier Doug Ford emphasized that the allocated funds will enhance provincial supply chains and provide support to the Amherstburg community and its surroundings. The agreement secures the presence of Crown Royal at LCBO outlets in Ontario, with a Diageo spokesperson expressing gratitude towards Premier Ford and his team for their leadership in resolving the matter.
While a portion of the investment will benefit Amherstburg, the majority of the funding will be directed to the alcohol and agriculture sectors across the province. A significant amount is designated for economic development in Amherstburg, including support for community projects and initiatives to address evolving economic needs in the region.
Diageo’s investment plans also include purchasing grain spirits from Greenfield in Johnstown to bolster local production in eastern Ontario. The company will allocate resources for new packaging, Ontario-based marketing, and exploring the establishment of a new canning facility in Ontario. Additionally, a commitment of $1 million is pledged to support organizations within the agriculture sector.
In response to the announcement, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy emphasized Ontario’s commitment to safeguarding jobs and fostering collaboration with industries to strengthen supply chains. Despite the positive outlook from the government, Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue expressed disappointment over the deal, stating concerns about the direct impact on local workers and the uncertainty surrounding the distribution of funds within the community.
Representatives from Unifor Local 200, the union representing workers at the Diageo bottling plant, expressed discontent with the agreement, highlighting the perceived inadequacy of the investment in relation to the company’s profits. Mayor Prue reiterated efforts to attract new businesses to the facility to preserve jobs, noting ongoing negotiations with potential buyers.
The impending closure of the Amherstburg plant and the associated job losses have raised concerns about the economic impact on the town, with calls for a more equitable distribution of investments to benefit the local community.