The premier of Manitoba has urged Doug Ford to reverse his decision to remove Crown Royal from liquor shelves in Ontario. Wab Kinew emphasized the importance of unity among provinces in the face of trade tensions with the U.S. during a visit to the Gimli, Manitoba distillery where the whisky is produced.
Kinew appealed to Ford to reconsider, highlighting the need for a cohesive “Team Canada” approach. He stressed that divisions within the country would weaken the collective stance against external pressures.
Ford had announced plans to delist Crown Royal from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario following the closure of a Diageo bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. He mentioned the relocation of jobs to the U.S. as part of the company’s future plans.
In response, Diageo confirmed its commitment to maintaining operations in Canada by shifting bottling activities to a facility in Valleyfield, Quebec. Kinew expressed confidence in the company’s assurance to continue production in Gimli, Manitoba.
Kevin Chudd, the mayor of the Rural Municipality of Gimli, praised the local Diageo plant for its economic contributions to the community. He emphasized the significance of the plant in supporting local businesses.
Kinew extended an invitation to Ford for a meeting to resolve the issue amicably. Meanwhile, Barry Sawyer, the national president of United Food and Commercial Workers representing workers at the Gimli plant, cautioned against the negative impact of interprovincial trade barriers on Canadian workers.
Despite suggestions of potential retaliatory measures by Manitoba, Kinew emphasized the province’s commitment to maintaining a cooperative stance and not engaging in a tit-for-tat response. The focus remains on safeguarding Canadian jobs and avoiding internal discord during challenging times.
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