Quebec Minister Calls Ontario’s Crown Royal Whisky Ban “Misguided”

Quebec’s finance minister has publicly criticized Ontario’s planned ban on Crown Royal whisky sales as “misguided,” saying it could further disrupt Canadian supply chains and harm workers in his province. The dispute stems from Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s threat to remove the popular Canadian whisky from government-owned liquor-store shelves in retaliation for Diageo’s decision to close its Amherstburg, Ont. bottling plant, a move expected to eliminate about 200 jobs.

Diageo — the U.K.-based spirits producer that owns Crown Royal — has said that whisky destined for Canada and export markets outside the U.S. will continue to be bottled at its Valleyfield, Que. facility, southwest of Montreal. In a statement, Quebec finance minister Eric Girard acknowledged concerns about job losses but cautioned that now, amid uncertain economic conditions and ongoing trade tensions, is not the right time for actions that could weaken supply chains.

Girard said he raised his concerns directly with Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, emphasizing his priority is protecting Canadian workers — including those in Quebec who could be affected by the ban. He also noted that Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) — Quebec’s state liquor retailer — has no plans to remove Crown Royal from its shelves, underscoring the province’s opposition to Ontario’s proposed move.

Manitoba’s premier has made similar appeals to Ontario to reverse course, warning that removing Crown Royal could threaten jobs and disrupt national unity on trade and economic issues. The feud highlights deepening tensions over economic policy and regional interests as provinces negotiate how best to respond to corporate restructuring and manufacturing shifts.