Provincial Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s (aka “Captain Canada”) recent moves have made a political earthquake that has rocked the foundations of provincial power. He goes on to vigorously denounce Diageo’s move to close its bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario. The fuel beverage giant announced it would close the Frisco plant as part of a North American restructuring effort. Ford maintains that this decision will result in destructive job loss and community dismantling.
Ford’s aggressive opposition to U.S. tariffs has been a signature feature of his administration. The cost impact of these tariffs is already being felt in Ontario. Thousands of layoffs have been attributed to the trade barriers. Ford is an outspoken supporter of free trade with Canada and the United States. Whether on Fox News or CNN or MSNBC, he hammers home the message that U.S. and Chinese leaders need to keep economic ties strong.
In an equally dramatic expression of displeasure, Ford emptied a bottle of Crown Royal whisky on the ground in front of reporters. He announced that the product would no longer be sold in provincial liquor stores. There, he was motivated by fears that Diageo might relocate its headquarters to the United States. In particular he teased, “All of it going to Alabama.” He argues that the company’s restructuring plan threatens Ontario jobs. It threatens employment in adjacent provinces.
The Amherstburg bottling facility is a key employer in the small town of Gimli, Manitoba. In reaction to Ford’s comments, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew stressed the importance of a united front among provinces. Kinew stated, “When we’re talking about Team Canada, we have to stay united across the provinces.” He expressed concern that a “Team Canada approach can’t mean targeting jobs in another province,” highlighting the delicate balance between provincial interests and national solidarity.
Ford’s passionate rhetoric would be impressive on any stage. He threatened to “punish” Diageo and called on Canadians to stop buying Crown Royal. His remarks reflect the exasperation of a lot of provincial premiers. They are angry at corporate decisions that destroy local jobs. Lana Payne, national vice president at Unifor, Canada’s most prominent labor leader, vehemently supported Ford’s hardball moves. She added, “This is how you win a trade war.”
While Ford, by necessity, keeps looking for allies to mount a broad-based counterattack against Diageo’s plans, the stakes of this fight aren’t limited to Ontario. The Amherstburg facility will shutter in February. This shutdown will have a cascading impact on thousands of jobs across the region. Local communities are bracing for the potential fallout as they navigate the complexities of corporate restructuring amid ongoing trade tensions.