Amherstburg Mayor, Unifor President Criticize Diageo’s Provincial Agreement
Recent developments concerning Diageo’s agreement with the Ontario provincial government have sparked criticism from local leaders in Amherstburg. The mayor of Amherstburg, Michael Prue, and John D’Agnolo, President of Unifor Local 200, expressed disappointment over the implications of this agreement for local workers.
Criticism of Diageo’s Provincial Agreement
On Friday, Diageo announced a commitment of nearly $23 million in new investments. The agreement ensures that Crown Royal products will remain available through the LCBO. While the agreement will benefit Windsor-Essex with $1 million earmarked for economic development focused on Amherstburg, a significant portion of the funding will flow to Toronto, Scarborough, and other areas in Eastern Ontario, supporting various initiatives.
Impact on Local Workforce
The agreement’s details come at a challenging time for the Amherstburg community. Diageo plans to close its local bottling plant by February 2026, affecting over 200 employees. Currently, the workforce has dwindled to approximately 98 employees due to retirements and severance package acceptances.
D’Agnolo emphasized the lack of consideration for the local workforce during the negotiations. He criticized the government’s decision to continue supporting Diageo in light of its impact on Amherstburg: “They clearly didn’t have anyone from us at that table,” he stated. He further urged Premier Doug Ford to remove Diageo products from the LCBO, which did not materialize.
Concerns Over Community Funding
Mayor Michael Prue voiced frustration regarding the distribution of funds from the agreement. Although $23 million is allocated for provincial use, only $500,000 is specifically set aside for community investment in Amherstburg. “We don’t even know where that money is going,” he remarked, highlighting a lack of transparency in the funding process.
Prue noted his recent conversation with the Finance Minister, who confirmed the $1 million allocation for the region. However, he lamented that such a small percentage of the total investment was dedicated to the local community, referring to it as “pretty small potatoes.”
Next Steps for Amherstburg
As discussions continue, the threats to remove Diageo’s products from the LCBO remain a topic of contention. Both local leaders and the union are pressing for more significant support for the affected workers and greater transparency concerning the community investment. The future of the Amherstburg plant and the local workforce hangs in the balance, prompting calls for renewed attention from government officials.
- Diageo investment: $23 million
- Community funding for Amherstburg: $500,000
- Local workforce affected: 200+ employees
- Current employees: approximately 98
- Plant closure date: February 2026
As the situation develops, the voices of Amherstburg’s mayor and the Unifor president underscore the urgency for local community support, revealing the complexities of corporate agreements in relation to regional impacts.
