Ontario Premier Vows Reprisal Against Diageo Over Distillery Closure

Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford, has launched a fierce broadside against global drinks giant Diageo in response to its decision to close a major whisky production facility in Amherstburg, located on the Detroit River border. The move, part of Diageo’s strategy to streamline its North American supply chain and focus more closely on United States markets, is set to result in the loss of 180 jobs.

At a press conference in Kitchener, Ford emptied a bottle of Crown Royal whisky onto the ground before assembled media, making clear his anger at both the company and the blow dealt to workers and the local economy. “A message to the chief executive—you hurt my people, I’m going to hurt you,” Ford told reporters, encouraging Ontarians to support home-grown whisky brands instead.

The decision to shutter the Amherstburg site follows similar protectionist measures and industry reactions on both sides of the US-Canada border, with Canadian leaders previously boycotting American-produced alcohol in response to tariffs introduced by President Trump. While Diageo has not explicitly linked the closure to those trade policies, Ford’s rhetoric was unequivocal in its criticism.

Lana Payne, the national president of Unifor—the union representing Amherstburg’s workforce—condemned Diageo’s approach, stating that neither the union nor employees were consulted prior to the public announcement. She described the closure as a “shock decision” and highlighted the lack of dialogue from the company as particularly galling for the affected workforce.

Diageo, whose flagship brands include Johnnie Walker and Buchanan’s, stated in a formal response that the decision was difficult but “crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network.” The company emphasised that Crown Royal will continue to be mashed, distilled, and aged in Canadian facilities, maintaining its nearly century-long legacy. Diageo employs more than 500 people across Canada, with over 100 employees in Ontario outside of Amherstburg.

The closure comes as multinationals increasingly weigh local impact against global efficiency in the context of shifting trade policies. As economic nationalism intensifies, the controversy highlights the complex interplay between international strategy and regional livelihoods, leaving questions not just for Diageo and Ontario, but for the shape of the entire North American spirits industry.