January 13, 2026
Premier Visits Crown Royal Distillery, Highlights Support for Manitoba Workers
– – –Clean Energy Investment Supports Long-Term Jobs at Gimli Facility: Premier
The Manitoba government is supporting Manitoba jobs and clean energy investment, Premier Wab Kinew announced today during a tour of the Diageo Crown Royal distillery in Gimli, where he met with workers and Diageo representatives.
“Crown Royal is made right here in Gimli and supports good Manitoba jobs,” said Kinew. “When people buy Crown Royal, they’re supporting Manitoba workers, and our government is proud to stand with them.”
The visit follows recent national attention on Crown Royal after Diageo announced the potential closure of a bottling facility in Ontario. Crown Royal continues to be mashed, distilled and aged in Manitoba, supporting jobs and economic activity across the region.
During the visit, the premier also highlighted a major clean energy project being advanced with Manitoba Hydro that will support the facility’s long-term future.
Diageo plans to replace existing natural gas boilers with electric systems as an effort to operate on 100 per cent renewable electricity. Manitoba Hydro will construct a new 20-kilometre transmission line from its Silver Station near Fraserwood to the manufacturing facility on Seagram Road in Gimli. Construction is expected to begin in January and be completed in 2027.
The project’s estimated cost is approximately $19 million, of which Diageo will be fully responsible.
“This investment strengthens Manitoba’s clean energy advantage while helping secure long-term manufacturing jobs in the Interlake,” said Kinew. “It’s a win for workers, a win for the community and a win for the environment.”
Workers at the facility are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 832.
“We are proud of the work our members do making a premium product,” said Jeff Traeger, president, UFCW Local 832. “We want to make sure these jobs stay in Manitoba.”
The clean energy project will support the long-term operation of the Gimli facility and help secure manufacturing jobs in the Interlake, the premier noted.
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