Crown Royal Amherstburg Plant Closure: 200 Workers Face Layoffs

What’s Happening at Crown Royal?

The Crown Royal bottling plant in Amherstburg, Ontario, will officially close its doors in February 2026, according to CBC News.

• 200 unionized and non-unionized workers are being laid off.
• Parent company Diageo, which owns Crown Royal, announced that bottling operations for US markets will move stateside, while Canadian bottling will shift to Valleyfield, Quebec.

WATCH: Ontario Premier Doug Ford empties a bottle of Crown Royal at a press conference in response to the Amherstburg plant closure.

Why is the Amherstburg Plan Closing?

According to Diageo, the decision is tied to supply chain efficiency and cost-cutting measures. With most Crown Royal sales coming from the United States, the company says it makes more sense to bottle products closer to its largest customer base.

• Whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux told CBC News that shrinking global demand for brown spirits, including whisky, has pressured Diageo to act.
• Despite Crown Royal remaining a top-selling brand in the US, the Amherstburg plant was considered a “nice to have,” not a “must have.”

Impact on Workers and the Local Community

The closure will have a major effect on Amherstburg, where generations of families have worked at the plant.

• Job Loss: About 160 to 200 employees will be laid off.
• Community Shock: Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue said he was blindsided, noting the town had worked hard to support the company.
• Union Pushback: Local union leaders and government officials have vowed to fight the decision, though experts believe chances of reversal are slim.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford went so far as to protest by pouring out a bottle of Crown Royal at a press conference (Global News), saying: “They’re hurting the people that work at Crown Royal. So this is what I think about Crown Royal.”

Next Steps for Crown Royal Staff

If you’ve been fired or let go from Crown Royal, understanding your legal rights when a company closes down in Ontario is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Amherstburg and across Ontario are entitled to Ontario severance pay. This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly.

The amount you’re owed is based on factors like age, tenure, position, and ability to find similar work.

Your rights don’t change when your employer closes a plant or shuts down an office entirely.

Key Severance Facts

• Compensation: Ontario severance packages can be worth up to 24 months’ pay, including salary, bonuses, commissions. Use our FREE Ontario Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what you may be owed
• Deadlines: You generally have up to 2 years from your termination date to challenge or negotiate a severance offer
• Next Steps: Speak with an Ontario employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP before signing anything to make sure your package is fair and compliant with Ontario law.

Lost Your Job at Crown Royal? Contact Us

If you’ve lost your job at Crown Royal’s Amherstburg plant, contact the experienced Windsor employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.

Our team has helped tens of thousands of non-unionized employees across Ontario enforce their rights and secure the full severance compensation they deserve.

📞 Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.