What’s Happening at Crown Royal?

The Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, will officially close its doors in February 2026, according to CBC News.

• 200 unionized and non-unionized workers are being laid off.
• Parent company Diageo, which owns Crown Royal, announced that bottling operations for US markets will move stateside, while Canadian bottling will shift to Valleyfield, Quebec.

WATCH: Ontario Premier Doug Ford empties a bottle of Crown Royal at a press conference in response to the Amherstburg plant closure.

Why is the Amherstburg Plan Closing?

According to Diageo, the decision is tied to supply chain efficiency and cost-cutting measures. With most Crown Royal sales coming from the United States, the company says it makes more sense to bottle products closer to its largest customer base.

• Whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux told CBC News that shrinking global demand for brown spirits, including whisky, has pressured Diageo to act.
• Despite Crown Royal remaining a top-selling brand in the US, the Amherstburg plant was considered a “nice to have,” not a “must have.”

Impact on Workers and the Local Community

The closure will have a major effect on Amherstburg, where generations of families have worked at the plant.

• Job Loss: About 160 to 200 employees will be laid off.
• Community Shock: Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue said he was blindsided, noting the town had worked hard to support the company.
• Union Pushback: Local union leaders and government...

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