‘Got to stick together’: Kinew implores Ford to keep Crown Royal on Ontario shelves Manitoba premier proposes meeting at upcoming Jets game to settle dispute By: Tyler Searle Posted: 6:06 PM CST Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 Last Modified: 12:47 PM CST Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 Updates

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GIMLI — Premier Wab Kinew pleaded Tuesday for his “buddy” in Ontario, Premier Doug Ford, to reconsider a decision to pull Crown Royal from the shelves in that province.

Speaking from outside the Diageo factory in Gimli — where Crown Royal is mashed, distilled and aged — Kinew appealed to Ford’s sense of patriotism, saying the Canadian provinces must display a unified front in the face of the ongoing trade war with the U.S.

The Ontario premier has repeatedly threatened to boycott Crown Royal whisky next month, in response to a plan from its U.K.-based parent company to shutter a bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ont.

“We understand, Doug, that you get fired up and you say things in public, but we also understand that you do the right thing when you have a chance to reconsider — and I’m asking you to reconsider,” Kinew said.

“This is about sticking together as Team Canada. We know that we’re standing together against the U.S., but a house divided against itself cannot stand. We’ve got to stick together as provincial leaders.”

Kinew did not provide specifics when asked how an Ontario boycott would impact the provincial economy, saying the issue is “hypothetical” until products are actually removed from the shelves.

The Manitoba premier said he has spoken with officials from Diageo, who gave him “verbal reassurance” the company is committed to remaining in Gimli.

“When we’re talking about Canadian whisky, it’s not going anywhere. This stuff has to be made in Canada in order for this brand to remain viable,” Kinew said.

Still, he expressed concern that the move could affect jobs at the plant north of Winnipeg, which employs about 76 people.

Diageo, the parent company of Crown Royal, is one of the largest employers in the region, and has provided well-paying and stable jobs for generations, he said.

The provincial leaders have had several conversations regarding the issue, including last week after a news conference in which Ford made it clear he intended to follow through with his threat, Kinew said.

“I’m not quick to try to escalate a trade war within Canada and that’s why I want to appeal to my buddy Doug.”

“I’m not quick to try to escalate a trade war within Canada and that’s why I want to appeal to my buddy Doug, who I know is a good guy, to do the right thing here and ensure that we’re supporting Canadian jobs in every region,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in Ontario, Ford said he appreciates Kinew’s position, but will not be swayed.

”Crown Royal is coming off the shelves,” he said. “God bless (Kinew). He’s doing his job. He is trying to protect jobs in Manitoba. I’m protecting jobs here in Ontario and he respects that. I respect him.”

The closure of Diageo’s Ontario plant is expected to impact about 200 jobs.

Crown Royal is also made at a facility in Valleyfield, Que., and Diageo has said it intends to shift bottling volumes there.

Ford said the company “should have thought twice” about the move.

“He is trying to protect jobs in Manitoba. I’m protecting jobs here in Ontario.”

”We were their number 1 customer in the entire world and they wanted to come after us and close down a plant and have people lose their jobs. That plant’s been around close to probably 100 years,” he said.

Despite Ford’s comments, Kinew said he is “optimistic” Ontario will heed his call.

Kinew said he would not consider removing Ontario products from Manitoba shelves in retaliation.

“Because then we’d be doing the thing that we don’t think it’s right for Doug Ford to do. We don’t think it’s right to take an action that’s going to impact Canadian jobs in another province. So we’re going to hold the line in terms of that being a value that we’re committed as Manitobans, and then we’re going to continue to appeal to the Province of Ontario’s better nature.”

Kinew said he invited Ford to attend an NHL game between the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs at Canada Life Centre on Saturday.

“I’ll buy the tickets to the Jets game. We can settle this thing, put a smile on the faces of people here in Gimli and just put this episode behind us.”

Gimli Mayor Kevin Chudd said he is grateful the Manitoba premier is taking a stand against the potential boycott.

“The global supply of Crown Royal is made in Gimli, made with Gimli water and it’s shipped all over the world,” Chudd said. “We have to all work together, and I appreciate what our premier is doing on our behalf.”

Chudd described the Gimli plant as “a longstanding institution” in his community.

“It’s something we’re proud of and it’s very important to us.”

Kinew used his visit to the plant to meet with workers and announce a clean energy investment in partnership with Diageo.

“I’ll buy the tickets to the Jets game.”

Manitoba Hydro is slated to build a new, 20-kilometre transmission line from its Silver Station near Fraserwood to the Gimli plant. The development will allow Diageo to replace its natural gas boilers with electric systems.

Kinew said the transmission line will support the long-term operation of the plant, and help secure manufacturing jobs in the Interlake.

The project is expected to cost $19 million, with Diageo paying the costs. Construction will likely begin this month and be completed by 2027.

Gimli Mayor Kevin Chudd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

— With files from The Canadian Press

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca