Diageo Closes Crown Royal Plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, Amidst Controversy

The Diageo Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, officially ceased operations on February 25, 2026, two days earlier than initially scheduled, leaving over 200 workers without jobs and sparking criticism of both the company and the provincial government. The closure ends decades of bottling operations in the border community, which has relied on the plant since 1971.

Plant Closure and Worker Reaction

Workers leaving the facility on Wednesday expressed a mix of sadness, anger, and frustration. Many directed their disappointment at Diageo, accusing the company of prioritizing profits over the community. Dean Lennox, a 23-year employee, described the situation as “disgusting corporate greed,” noting the impact on families and future generations. Doug Benekritis, the Diageo chair for Unifor Local 200, voiced frustration with Premier Doug Ford, claiming a broken promise to remove Crown Royal from LCBO shelves if the plant closed.

Government Deal and Criticism

In February 2026, the Ontario provincial government reached a deal with Diageo to ensure Crown Royal whisky would remain available at LCBO stores in exchange for a $23 million investment. However, much of this investment is slated for the Greater Toronto Area, with only approximately $1 million allocated to the Windsor-Essex region. This deal has drawn criticism from Unifor and local officials.

Political Fallout and Unfulfilled Promises

Premier Ford initially protested Diageo’s decision to close the plant, even dramatically pouring a bottle of Crown Royal onto the ground in September 2025. He pledged to protect the jobs in Amherstburg. However, the subsequent $23 million deal has been viewed by some as insufficient and a betrayal of those promises. Essex MPP Anthony Leardi declined to comment on the deal when approached by CBC News, further fueling discontent.

Unifor’s Response and Concerns

Unifor, representing the approximately 200 affected workers, condemned the early closure as “a final show of disrespect for Canadian workers.” The union had previously suggested Diageo’s decision was influenced by pressure from then-U.S. President Donald Trump to move jobs to the United States. Unifor national president Lana Payne stated the closure marked “a sad day” for the community, which has a long history of whisky production.

Diageo’s Remaining Canadian Operations

Despite the closure of the Amherstburg plant, Diageo maintains a presence in Canada. The company’s Canadian headquarters and warehouse operations will remain in the Greater Toronto Area, and it will continue bottling and distillation operations in Gimli, Manitoba, and Valleyfield, Quebec. Diageo confirmed that Crown Royal bottled for the Canadian market will continue to be bottled in Canada.

Community Impact and Future Outlook

The closure of the plant, once the town’s biggest employer, leaves a significant void in the Amherstburg community. While $500,000 will be allocated to Invest WindsorEssex and another $500,000 to Amherstburg for community projects, local residents like Larry Renaud expressed skepticism that the funds would adequately address the economic hardship caused by the plant’s closure. Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue stated he had not yet received details regarding the $500,000 earmarked for the town.