Ontario Premier Doug Ford is giving rye drinkers in Canada an ultimatum: stock up on Crown Royal before it's banned from liquor stores. The Canadian whisky brand has been at the center of a long-standing feud between Ford and Diageo, the multinational spirits maker.
Ford's threat comes after Diageo announced plans to move its operations from Ontario to Alabama, resulting in the loss of around 200 jobs. In September, Ford ceremoniously dumped a bottle of Crown Royal when Diageo made the announcement, labeling the company as "a few fries short of a Happy Meal" and "dumb as a bag of hammers".
As part of his plan to banish Crown Royal from liquor stores, Ford claims he has the power to wield the province's liquor control board. The decision is seen as a significant blow to the brand, which has been a staple in Canada for over 80 years.
However, Diageo insists that Crown Royal will continue to be made and bottled in Canada, albeit with changes to its production. The company recently shifted its plans for a new carbon-neutral distillery in Ontario from a full-scale project to a warehouse with the possibility of future development.
Ford's actions have significant implications for the brand, which has a strong presence in both Canada and the US. With consumer boycotts in response to Donald Trump's provocations having cratered sales of US brands in Canada, Ford's move could have far-reaching consequences for Diageo and its other Canadian operations.
For political leaders, the loss of Crown Royal reflects an erosion of a product long associated with Canadian identity. The brand has been deeply ingrained in Canadian culture, with its unique purple cloth bag and stress on its Canadian roots. As one of the most popular Canadian whiskies sold internationally, its removal from liquor stores could have significant economic implications for Ontario.
Ford's warning to Diageo also sends a clear message to other brands sold by the company, including Guinness and Smirnoff. The premier has vowed to hold these companies accountable if they attempt to target Ontario consumers.
With tensions between Ford and Diageo running high, the fate of Crown Royal remains uncertain. Will rye drinkers in Canada be able to stock up on their beloved brand before it's banned from liquor stores, or will this move mark the beginning of the end for a Canadian institution?
Ford's threat comes after Diageo announced plans to move its operations from Ontario to Alabama, resulting in the loss of around 200 jobs. In September, Ford ceremoniously dumped a bottle of Crown Royal when Diageo made the announcement, labeling the company as "a few fries short of a Happy Meal" and "dumb as a bag of hammers".
As part of his plan to banish Crown Royal from liquor stores, Ford claims he has the power to wield the province's liquor control board. The decision is seen as a significant blow to the brand, which has been a staple in Canada for over 80 years.
However, Diageo insists that Crown Royal will continue to be made and bottled in Canada, albeit with changes to its production. The company recently shifted its plans for a new carbon-neutral distillery in Ontario from a full-scale project to a warehouse with the possibility of future development.
Ford's actions have significant implications for the brand, which has a strong presence in both Canada and the US. With consumer boycotts in response to Donald Trump's provocations having cratered sales of US brands in Canada, Ford's move could have far-reaching consequences for Diageo and its other Canadian operations.
For political leaders, the loss of Crown Royal reflects an erosion of a product long associated with Canadian identity. The brand has been deeply ingrained in Canadian culture, with its unique purple cloth bag and stress on its Canadian roots. As one of the most popular Canadian whiskies sold internationally, its removal from liquor stores could have significant economic implications for Ontario.
Ford's warning to Diageo also sends a clear message to other brands sold by the company, including Guinness and Smirnoff. The premier has vowed to hold these companies accountable if they attempt to target Ontario consumers.
With tensions between Ford and Diageo running high, the fate of Crown Royal remains uncertain. Will rye drinkers in Canada be able to stock up on their beloved brand before it's banned from liquor stores, or will this move mark the beginning of the end for a Canadian institution?
. Like any other Canadian I'm super attached to Crown Royal - it's like our national drink or something 
. But at the same time, I get why Doug Ford is doing what he's doing... his job is to protect Ontario businesses and all that jazz 
. The thing is though, this whole thing just feels so petty and vindictive... I mean, yeah we can all agree Diageo leaving Ontario was a big deal 
, but do we have to take it out on Crown Royal? 
. Like, aren't liquor stores supposed to be regulated by some sort of government agency? 
This whole thing just feels like a huge power play between Ford and Diageo... and honestly it's kinda grossing me out 
.
so what's gonna happen to crown royal now?? 
cuz dis is about more than just a drink its about canada's identity 
u think diageo will stick 2 makin it in alabama or try 2 keep it canadian? 
my mind is made up, ill stock up on crown royal as soon as possible 
. Ford is really going all out against Diageo and I gotta wonder if he's just trying to be a hero 
. I mean, Crown Royal has been around for like, forever in Canada, so it's not like they're hurting anyone 
. And if Diageo is really planning to move out of Ontario, that's just devastating for the province 
. I'm all for Canadian brands being made in Canada, so fingers crossed they can find a way to keep Crown Royal on the shelves 
. This whole thing is just too dramatic, I need to know what's going down before it's too late 
gotta see how this whole thing plays out 
. Can't he just chill and let the company do its thing? This whole situation is just a mess, and I'm worried about the economic impact on real people's lives 
This whole thing with Crown Royal is kinda ridiculous. Ford's all upset because Diageo is moving jobs to Alabama and then suddenly he's like "oh no, I'm gonna ban your brand from liquor stores"? 
It's not exactly gonna make Canada proud to see their premier acting all high and mighty.
You can't just ban something that's been a part of people's lives for so long without thinking about how it's gonna affect them.
so yeah, the fate of crown royal is pretty uncertain but one thing's for sure: if they ban it from liquor stores in ontario, there'll be a major backlash from fans 
I'm telling you, folks, this is no coincidence. Ford's sudden interest in banning Crown Royal is all about controlling the narrative and manipulating public opinion. Think about it: what if Diageo's departure from Ontario wasn't just about jobs, but also about getting rid of a major competitor? Now Ford gets to swoop in and say he's saving the day for Canadian consumers. But let's not be fooled – this is all part of his master plan to shape public opinion and silence dissenting voices.
. But on the other hand, banning Crown Royal from liquor stores seems like an overreaction 
. I mean, it's not like Diageo is just going to abandon Canada entirely... they're still planning to keep production here 
. One thing's for sure, though: if it does happen, rye drinkers in Canada are gonna be in a world of trouble 
. On the flip side, I'm all about supporting Canadian businesses and keeping our spirits local 
. Can't we just find a middle ground here? Maybe Diageo can make some changes that work for both parties 
will fans of the brand be able to get their hands on some before it's too late?
this could have a major impact on ontario's liquor industry and even the global whisky market. i'm keeping my fingers crossed that crown royal can find a way to stay in ontario, but if not... 
and now this affects other brands too...it's getting pretty intense over here 