By John Q. Hosedrinker 
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Doug Ford dumping a bottle of Crown Royal, lashing out at the brand over moving jobs to the U.S., well, it certainly sparked a reaction, didn’t it? It’s hard to ignore the sheer performative nature of the whole thing. I mean, a guy who’s policies have been questioned when it comes to local jobs, suddenly taking a stand by pouring out a bottle of whiskey? It does feel a bit like another one of Doug’s performances, a chance to make a splash with the cameras rolling. And, you know, there’s the feeling that it’s all about the optics.
It’s kind of the heart of the matter. The whole point of Crown Royal, for many Canadians, is that it *is* Canadian. It’s a symbol, in a way. So, if the brand is moving jobs out of the country, especially to the U.S., it’s understandable why people would feel a bit betrayed. But dumping a bottle, and a bottle he seemingly bought, is pretty silly if you think about it. If he was serious, why not pull the product from shelves? Or, if you’re going to do this, don’t pour it on the ground, pour it out on the camera and make a scene.
The reality is, the bottling plant was mostly exporting product to the U.S., so the move, even if it’s frustrating for some Canadians, doesn’t actually impact production. And, let’s be honest, there are plenty of people who think Crown Royal is just okay whiskey to begin with. Some people genuinely aren’t fans of the brand, which makes the stunt all the more baffling. They probably didn’t care for the whiskey, now it’s an act of spite.
Then there’s the question of what this move is actually *achieving*. Politicians are often criticized for performative politics, and this feels like a prime example. Doug Ford has done this for the cameras before. This kind of stunt does more harm to the province than a tariff possibly could. Ultimately, what matters is the actual impact on people’s lives, not grand gestures that might make for good headlines.
It seems like the underlying feeling is that the whole thing is a distraction. Sure, a plant closing and 180-200 jobs disappearing is important. But is this really the best way to address it? There’s a sense of frustration that maybe he doesn’t actually care as much about the workers as he’s pretending to. Some people don’t believe he is. The comments really cut to the quick: “It’s ALWAYS about booze with this guy!”
It’s funny, really. Some people would rather the issue be about better brands. Or even that “Crown Royal is garb whiskey anyway.” This is just making a scene for the sake of making a scene. But, the fact is, if you’re a Canadian, and you’re seeing jobs moving south, and the perception of Crown Royal is shifting, it’s definitely going to make you think twice. It’s as simple as that. If you aren’t happy with the outcome, why pay for the product.
There’s a common refrain, “Doug Ford is MAGA.” It’s a comment on the divisive nature of political posturing these days. Doug Ford, and his supporters, may not care. The whole thing is a sideshow. People don’t understand the underlying issues and the political games. The fact that this guy is still in politics is unbelievable to some.
And let’s not forget the little details, like the size of the bottle he poured out. As if it was just conveniently sitting around. One can’t help but wonder if that bottle was just there, waiting in the wings for its moment. It’s just a show.