January 9, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — A federal Conservative lawmaker from Manitoba has publicly challenged Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s stance on Crown Royal whisky, saying Ford is “misinformed” about the Canadian production footprint of the iconic spirit as tensions simmer between provincial interests and corporate restructuring.
James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk‑Interlake‑Eastman, spoke out this week after Ford reiterated plans to remove Crown Royal from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) shelves once the brand’s Ontario bottling plant in Amherstburg closes this winter. Bezan, who represents the region that includes the whisky’s historic distillery in Gimli, Manitoba, said the premier’s characterization of the product’s Canadian ties was inaccurate.
“The premier doesn’t have all the facts in front of him,” Bezan said in an X (formerly Twitter) post, noting that Crown Royal is distilled in Gimli, Manitoba, and remains one of Canada’s leading export spirits. He emphasised that despite the closure of the Ontario bottling facility, the whisky’s core production from mashing through ageing continues in Manitoba.
The dispute stems from Diageo’s announced closure of the Amherstburg bottling plant, scheduled for February 2026, which has already led to a ratified agreement by workers facing job losses in Ontario. The company plans to consolidate some North American bottling operations and has said it will continue to maintain a significant footprint in Canada, with bottling for the Canadian market transitioning to its Valleyfield, Quebec facility.
Ford has framed his threat to pull Crown Royal from LCBO inventories as a stance to “protect jobs” in Ontario, asserting that jobs could shift to the United States. In September, he famously dumped a bottle of Crown Royal at a press conference in protest of the impending plant closure a symbolic act that ignited wider debate over economic nationalism and corporate responsibility.
Bezan suggested that should Ford follow through on his threat, Manitoba could respond with its own trade measures, including potential restrictions on Ontario wine sales in his home province. He underscored the importance of supporting Canadian workers and reaffirmed that the Gimli distillery continues to employ Manitobans and contribute to local economic activity.
Manitoba Economic Development Minister Jamie Moses also issued a statement urging residents and consumers to continue supporting Canadian‑made products, describing Crown Royal production as vital to provincial jobs and economic stability.
The controversy highlights broader tensions in Canadian interprovincial trade and regional economic interests particularly as multinational corporations like Diageo adjust operations across North America. While the Crown Royal brand has deep Canadian roots dating back to its founding in 1939, changes in production and bottling logistics have placed regional identities and labour concerns at the centre of political debate.