US EditionQuebec’s finance minister says Ontario’s Crown Royal whisky ban is misguided
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard warns Ontario that removing Crown Royal from liquor stores could disrupt Canadian supply chains and harm jobs at facilities in Quebec and Manitoba.
- On Jan. 20, 2026, Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard urged Ontario to reconsider plans to pull Crown Royal next month, citing concerns about Canadian supply chains, Girard said.
- Doug Ford announced the boycott as retaliation for Diageo's Amherstburg closure, which will affect about 200 jobs in Ontario next month.
- Diageo said it will maintain a Canadian footprint including its GTA headquarters, keep the Gimli, Manitoba plant that employs about 76 people, and bottle Crown Royal at its Valleyfield, Quebec facility.
- Provincial leaders offered contrasting responses, with Manitoba and Quebec urging caution; the Société des alcools du Québec said it will not remove Crown Royal, while Wab Kinew, Manitoba Premier, asked Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, to reconsider last week.
- Considering trade friction with the U.S., Girard warned that 'now is not the time to implement measures that risk further weakening Canadian supply chains,' amid Diageo's shift of some bottling closer to U.S. consumers and the Alabama plant announcement last year.
37 Articles
37 Articles
The boycott of the Whiskey Crown Royal in Ontario may harm workers at the Valleyfield plant, the Quebec government believes.
Quebec denounces the idea of Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford to remove Crown Royal whisky from Ontario Alcohol Board (LCBO) tablets.
Quebec latest province to take shot at Ontario premier’s upcoming Crown Royal whisky ban
Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard says he has shared his concerns with his Ontario counterpart and says given trade tensions with the U-S, now is not the time for measures that weaken Canadian supply chains.
The timing is wrong to disrupt supply chains, says Quebec's Minister of Finance.
Quebec's finance minister calls Ontario's Crown Royal whisky ban misguided
Quebec's finance minister says he has shared his concerns with his Ontario counterpart about that province's intention to remove Crown Royal whisky from government-owned liquor stores, saying now is not the time to further disrupt Canadian supply chains.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 79% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
