Labatt becomes first private-sector company to become Ontario Corps partner

Labatt will provide drinking water, trucks, and other supplies during emergencies across Ontario as part of a provincial program. Gerry Dewan explains.

In 2012, Labatt became the first brewery in the world to shift production so they could turn out cans of emergency drinking water. Now Labatt has signed on as a member of Ontario Corps.

Emergency Preparedness and Response Minister Jill Dunlop says that commitment will see Labatt go beyond producing water.

“Labatt may offer use of their facilities, trucks, drivers, cardboard boxes, forklifts, pallets and refrigeration facilities to support emergency response efforts,” she said.

On Friday morning, Dunlop visited the Labatt brewery in London to formalize the arrangement.

“Having individuals volunteer is amazing. We want to continue to build that out for people. When we look at private companies and associations who want to sign on and want to help out, they have those assets that are available to our needs,” she said.

Premier Doug Ford announced in late 2024 that Ontario Corps was being established. The organization continues to enlist residents, businesses and associations to join the volunteer effort.

Labatt officials note the brewing company has been taking part in humanitarian projects from the very earliest stages of its almost 180-year history.

“John Kinder Labatt, our founder, started this tradition of giving back to the community in London when there was a famine in the late 1800s and gave a thousand pounds of flour,” said Labatt Vice-President of Corporate Affairs Jeff Ryan.

Since 2012, Labatt has donated more than 1.1 million cans of water to disaster relief efforts, including sending 40,000 cans to residents of Pikangikum First Nation who were impacted by wildfires in Northern Ontario last summer.

Labatt also produced hand sanitizer for food banks and frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ryan believes having a more coordinated approach will benefit those impacted disasters and the volunteers that taking part in disaster relief.

“For me, when assets are available and they’re not utilized that is the tragedy in this. When you want to help, but you can’t. But this will enable corporations and companies like Labatt to support the government and Ontarians quickly and efficiently,” he said.

The ministry says Labatt is the first private-sector organizations to become an Ontario Corps partner.