The Ontario government says it has reached an agreement with global spirits company Diageo that will see Crown Royal products remain available through the LCBO while bringing new spending to the province.
According to the province, the deal follows months of discussions after concerns emerged about the closure of the company’s Amherstburg facility. The government says it pushed for reinvestment that would benefit Ontario workers, suppliers and communities.
The agreement includes nearly $23 million in commitments. Among them is an $11 million plan to purchase grain neutral spirits from Greenfield Global in Johnstown, support aimed at boosting eastern Ontario production.
Other elements include $500,000 for Invest WindsorEssex focused on Amherstburg, another $500,000 for community projects, $3 million toward ready to drink beverages produced through a Toronto based co packer, $2 million for packaging work in Scarborough, $1 million for agricultural organizations and $5 million in Ontario marketing.
The province says Diageo has also committed to exploring options for a new canning facility in Ontario.
Premier Doug Ford says the outcome reflects the government’s approach of using Ontario’s marketplace to encourage companies to invest locally.
Officials say construction or new operations would still depend on further planning, approvals and business decisions.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
