Workers at the Crown Royal whisky bottling plant in southwestern Ontario have officially ratified a deal to close the facility, marking a significant shift for the iconic Canadian brand's operations.
Details of the Ratified Agreement
The agreement was finalized and approved by the workforce on December 3, 2025. While specific financial terms of the closure package were not publicly disclosed, such deals typically include severance pay, benefits continuation, and potentially retraining support for affected employees. The ratification vote signifies the workers' acceptance of the terms offered by parent company Diageo.
Context and Impact on the Region
The closure of the bottling plant represents a notable loss for the local manufacturing sector in southwestern Ontario. The facility has been a point of production for Crown Royal, a globally recognized Canadian whisky brand. The decision is part of a broader business realignment by Diageo, which may involve consolidating operations at other locations. The move will result in the elimination of all jobs at this specific plant, impacting the local economy and the families of the workers.
What Comes Next for Crown Royal Production
Despite the closure of this bottling plant, the Crown Royal brand will continue. Production of the whisky itself is expected to continue at Diageo's distillery in Gimli, Manitoba. The company will likely shift the bottling and packaging operations to other existing facilities within its network. This strategic move highlights the ongoing changes within the beverage alcohol industry and the consolidation of manufacturing assets by major multinational corporations.
The ratified deal brings a measure of certainty to the employees, providing them with a defined path forward as the plant winds down its operations. The community now faces the challenge of absorbing this workforce and seeking new economic opportunities to fill the void left by the plant's departure.
