In a dramatic show of defiance, Ontario Premier Doug Ford made headlines this week by dumping a bottle of Crown Royal whisky during a news conference. His bold act was a protest against the closure of the whisky maker's bottling facility in Ontario, sparking widespread attention.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc openly expressed his enjoyment of Ford's protest during an interview, highlighting the cordial relationship they share despite their political differences. "I wouldn’t propose to tell Premier Ford how to practice Ontario politics... but I really enjoyed watching his news conference on Tuesday," LeBlanc stated, praising Ford for "standing up for workers" in his province.

The humorous moment of whisky splashing onto Ford's shoes only added to the spectacle, leading LeBlanc to quip, "Did it go viral? It went on his shoes, I saw that." Indeed, the protest has gone viral, captivating audiences across social media.

What's Behind the Protest?

The Ontario facility, situated in Amherstburg, is set to close its doors in February 2026, leaving nearly 200 workers facing unemployment. Ford's fiery protest criticizes Diageo, the company behind Crown Royal, which announced it would be shifting operations stateside to bolster its North American supply chain.

Diageo plans to transition bottling intended for the U.S. market to their facilities in the United States, while Canadian consumers will continue to get their Crown Royal from the Valleyfield, Quebec location. Despite the closure, Diageo reassured that it would maintain a strong presence in Canada, including its headquarters and several operational facilities.

Community Impact and Future Plans

In a statement, Marsha McIntosh, Diageo's President of North America Supply, acknowledged the tough decision, emphasizing its importance for enhancing efficiency in their supply chain. Diageo committed to engaging with the community and providing support to affected employees during the transition, especially in collaboration with Unifor, the union representing the workers.

Though the news has sparked outrage among Ford's supporters, it has also ignited a larger conversation about job security and corporate responsibility in local communities.

With emotional stakes high, this controversy is likely to continue making waves both in Ontario and beyond.