Ontario Premier Doug Ford has scrapped plans to remove Crown Royal from LCBO shelves after its parent company, Diageo, committed nearly $23 million in new investments across the province.
The reversal comes after months of tension following Diageo’s decision to close a Windsor-area bottling plant, impacting about 200 jobs. Ford had previously threatened a boycott, even publicly dumping a bottle of Crown Royal to protest the closure.
Under the new agreement, Diageo will invest in Ontario through local sourcing, marketing, ready-to-drink beverage production, and support for agriculture and regional development.
Ford said the deal protects Ontario workers and strengthens supply chains, while Diageo welcomed the resolution, confirming the whisky will remain available in provincial stores.
However, critics argue the agreement does little to support workers affected by the plant closure, highlighting ongoing concerns despite the investment.