A British-owned, Canadian-made whisky is at the center of a spat between two provinces that is testing a unified 'Team Canada' approach in the face of US tariffs.
It started after the whisky maker, Diageo, announced plans to close a bottling plant in Ontario and relocate operations closer to US consumers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford's reaction was immediate and vocal, resulting in bottles of Crown Royal being poured out in protest.
Manitoba, home to a Crown Royal distillery, is now concerned that the removal of the whisky from Ontario liquor stores could spell economic trouble for the small town of Gimli, where the plant serves as a significant employer.
During a recent visit to the Gimli distillery, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew urged Ford to reconsider his stance: 'We need to stay united across the provinces. Having a Team Canada approach can't mean targeting jobs in another province.'
The conflict sparked by Diageo's decision reflects broader tensions in Canada's relationship between provinces, particularly over economic policies and trade. Ford's aggressive approach aims to protect Ontario's jobs but runs the risk of damaging Manitoba's economy and reigniting old rivalries between provinces.
'When we're talking about Team Canada, we have to stay united across the provinces,' Kinew noted, emphasizing the need for collaboration in challenging times.
Ford's refusal to reevaluate his boycott underlines the complexities facing Canadian leaders as they navigate both local interests and inter-provincial unity.
