Amherstburg selects projects for Diageo settlement funds, province has final say

Following the closing of Diageo's bottling plant, a payout to the community that lost hundreds of jobs will be put to good use. CTV's Robert Lothian reports.

The Town of Amherstburg will require provincial approval to utilize funds provided by Diageo through an agreement reached in February.

The town learned on Monday afternoon that the Ford Government will have the final say on the $500,000 allocated to Amherstburg.

At a council meeting on Monday night, Mayor Michael Prue revealed the latest change to the deal, which has been heavily criticized by some town officials.

“What this means is that council can only recommend to Diageo, and the province will decide what to do with the funds. It’s taken out of our hands,” Prue explained.

An update from the alcoholic beverage producer arrived hours before the council was to debate how the money should be used.

In February, Diageo reached a $23 million settlement with the province to provide investments in Ontario following the decision to close its Amherstburg bottling plant.

In addition to the $500,000 earmarked for Amherstburg, Invest WindsorEssex will receive a similar portion of the settlement for economic development.

“I mean, we got less than 2% of all the money that went to all the other municipalities. We’re the ones that are suffering. We lost 200 good-paying jobs,” said Coun. Diane Pouget.

As part of the agreement, Diageo has suggested that the funds benefit either local economic development, community infrastructure, or the tourism industry.

Rather than choose one project which could benefit, the town has decided to send a list of projects to pick from.

Council approved items that include improvements to the waterfront, funding for Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), and a trades bursary for students from Amherstburg.

Nicolette Dufour, a Diageo retiree who spent 41 years at the plant, asked council to consider suggesting ACS.

Dufour noted it was a “stress point” brought up by other Diageo retirees.

“So, I am glad it at least made the list. My hopes are that it goes right to the top of the list,” she told CTV News.

Council debated whether to include items which are not specifically related to Diageo’s requirements.

Coun. Peter Courtney said it was the right decision to have the province and the company decide which projects are eligible.

“This is more to let them hang themselves, so to speak, by saying, here’s an opportunity to right the wrong in some portion,” Courtney said.

“Let them say no to it because that’ll show their true colours. This is more of a test as well, in my opinion, to see… where they’re going to lay their cards.”

The town will now have to wait for a response on which option has been selected.