Ford backs down on Crown Royal ban after deal with Diageo

Ontario reached a $23-million agreement with Diageo that will keep Crown Royal on LCBO shelves, but the deal does not specify replacement of about 200 jobs at the Amherstburg plant.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford moved away from his threat to remove Crown Royal from LCBO stores after the provincial government announced a $23-million agreement with Diageo. The dispute began after Diageo said it would close a bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, affecting about 200 workers. The government described the package as new investment covering items such as ingredient purchases, local economic development and advertising. The agreement made no mention of rehiring the Amherstburg employees, and the plant is scheduled to close at the end of February. Key points: - Ford's threat to ban Crown Royal followed Diageo's planned closure of the Amherstburg bottling plant, reported to affect roughly 200 jobs. - The government and Diageo announced a $23-million package that includes spending on ingredients, local economic development and Ontario-based marketing and promotion. - The agreement does not include details about replacing or rehiring the Amherstburg workers, and the plant remains set to close at the end of February. - Diageo thanked the government for resolving the dispute and confirmed Crown Royal will remain available at the LCBO. Summary: The announced deal ends the immediate threat of a Crown Royal ban and secures new provincial spending commitments while leaving the Amherstburg job situation unresolved. Undetermined at this time.