The mayor of Amherstburg, Ontario, Michael Prue, expressed discontent regarding Premier Doug Ford's decision to lift the ban on Crown Royal whisky. This ban had initially been leveraged to compel Diageo, the parent company, to expedite the sale of its local bottling facility, which is crucial for maintaining local employment. With the threat of removing Crown Royal from LCBO shelves, there was a sense of urgency in Diageo's efforts to preserve the approximately 160 jobs tied to the plant.

However, once Ford agreed to end the ban in exchange for $23 million in commitments from Diageo to invest in other parts of Ontario, the mayor felt that Diageo’s interest in swiftly selling the Amherstburg facility waned. Prue noted that a crucial meeting between the town's officials and Diageo was cancelled, and the communication from Diageo has since been lacking. He expressed frustration over the uncertainty, stating that the cancellation of the meeting seemed to indicate a shift in Diageo's priorities.

This situation raises concerns about the future of the Amherstburg community, which depends heavily on the jobs provided by the Crown Royal plant. The mayor's remarks highlight the potential implications of provincial decisions on local economies, particularly in regions reliant on specific industries. Without urgent action from Diageo, the community faces a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding job security and economic stability.