U.S.-Canada bridge blockade: Live updates

An ongoing truck blockade on the Canadian side of the border in Windsor, Ontario is leading to production cuts at assembly plants and warnings of delays in new vehicle shipments to dealerships. Stay with this live blog for the latest developments at one of North American's busiest land border crossings and the impact in the automotive industry.

Feb. 13, 9:14 p.m.: The Canada Border Services Agency posted on its website the bridge as "temporarily closed."

"The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is working collaboratively with law enforcement partners to restore normal border operations at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry," the agency said in an email Sunday night to Automotive News Canada. "The CBSA would like to thank all travelers and the importing community for their collaboration and patience."

Feb. 13, 3:35 p.m.: Police continue to push protestors back from Huron Chruch Road, a key link to the Ambassador Bridge

Automotive News Canada's Greg Layson was on scene Sunday afternoon and reported about 50 protestors present also with a heavy police presence, 

Feb. 13, 1:03 p.m.: Premier Doug Ford issues a brief statement thanking law enforcement for ending the blockade

Premier Doug Ford on Friday declared a state of emergency giving law enforce more leeway to clear the protestors. It took them more than 24 hours to do so after beginning their operation early Saturday.

Feb. 13, 11:20 a.m.: Windsor police spokesman Steve Betteridge says about 12 people have been charged

Windsor police spokesman Steve Betteridge also says the operation was a peaceful one and is “something to be extremely proud of.”

Feb. 13, 11 a.m.: Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens declares the blockade over

“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination.”

Dilkens also said “illegal acts, blockades and hate speech must not be tolerated and should be denounced.”

Feb. 13, 1045 a.m.: Media report police are working to open Huron Church Road now that protestors have been cleared

Windsor News Today reporter Maureen Revait says there is no timeline to reopen the key road.

Feb. 13, 9:15 a.m.: Police clear protest zones

Local media report police have made progress clearing the protest zones in Windsor near the Ambassador Bridge. Some arrests have been made and vehicles towed. Some vehicles were driven off after the drivers were warned.

Feb. 13, 8:14 a.m.: "Arrests being made"

Windsor Police released a statement on Twitter saying they are taking action against the protesters and making arrests.

"Enforcement actions continue at the demonstration area with arrests being made," the tweet says. "Vehicles being towed. Please continue avoiding the area."

Feb. 12, 7:08 p.m.: The standoff continued all afternoon between police and another group of protesters.

While police have successfully pushed back protesters from the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, more people spent the afternoon streaming into the area and the operation appeared to have stalled.

More than 24 hours after the terms of a court injunction went into effect, the standoff continued.

Feb. 12, 4:06 p.m.: Automotive News Canada's Grace Macaluso caught up to protestors who say they work in auto

You can hear in the video embedded below how they feel about the automotive industry being crippled for days.

Feb. 12, 2:35 p.m.: Bridge reopening in doubt

An increasing number of protesters have arrived on foot and there is growing doubt that the bridge will reopen this afternoon, according to tweets from a reporter for The Windsor Star newspaper.

Deputy Chief Jason Bellaire told The Star that he can't speculate whether the blockade will be completely cleared today.

"It really depends on how things go and the interactions between demonstrators and the officers," he told the newspaper.

Feb. 12, 1:04 p.m.: Windsor Deputy Police Chief Jason Bellaire tells Automotive News Canada he's focused on a peaceful end

He said "officers are focusing on a peaceful resolution, using diplomacy,  reasonable dialogue, no injuries no arrests; it's about as good a situation as we can have given the circumstances."

Feb. 12, 10:10 a.m.: Local media report no vehicles remain at the entrance of the Ambassador Bridge

CTV's Rich Garton reported that all vehicles had been removed from the blockade north of College Ave. at Huron Church Rd. but that "people remain as police push the line back."

Feb. 12, 8:30 a.m.: Windsor police and partner departments began efforts to break up the blockade

Windsor police tell the protestors and public they have started to enact the terms of the court injunction obtained by the City of Windsor and automotive organizations on Friday.

Feb. 11, 7:25 p.m.: Court injunction has been in effect for 25 minutes, protestors refuse to leave

The number of protestors — and a police presence — continue to grow aWindsor t the entrance to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont. Protestors are now in defiance of a court ruling that orders them to leave.

Feb. 11, 4:34 p.m.: Court injunction could end bridge blockade

The Ontario Superior Court granted an injunction on Friday that could end the five-day blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, as assembly plants in Ontario, Michigan  and elsewhere continue to curtail production due to parts shortages.

-David Kennedy, Automotive News Canada.

Feb 11, 3:18 p.m.: Canada Border Services Agency says Ambassador Bridge remains temporarily closed.

"As ongoing protest activities in the area continue, the temporary closure of Canada bound traffic at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry (POE) remains in effect."

Until further notice, the CBSA encourages travellers to consider the following alternate ports of entry to cross the border:

• Regular travellers at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
• Commercial traffic at the Bluewater Bridge, which connects Sarnia, Ont., to Port Huron, Mich.

"The CBSA recognizes border disruptions affect both travellers and industry and is working collaboratively with law enforcement partners to restore normal border operations at affected ports of entry (POE) as quickly as possible."

Feb 11, 2:15 p.m.: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: "Everything is on the table because unlawful activity has to end"

Addressing the protests in Ottawa, Windsor and Alberta, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the demonstrations, which in Windsor are blocking Ambassador Bridge traffic between the U.S. and Canada, are a threat to the economy and public safety. He also said he has been in contact with President Joe Biden to discuss the blockades and foreign money funding illegal activity.

Feb 11, 12:32 p.m.: A small number of tractor-trailers and several pickups continue to block access to the Ambassador Bridge

Kegun Morkin provided the aerial footage below to Automotive News Canada.

Feb 11, 12:09 p.m.: Injunction hearing begins in Ontario Superior Court

Windsor, Ont. Mayor Drew Dilkens said the city, backed by auto industry groups, is seeking the injunction that will give police the authority to clear protestors that have halted truck traffic at the Ambassador Bridge since Monday, resulting slowdowns at auto assembly plants in both Ontario and Michigan.

The public can follow the proceeding on Zoom. Automotive News Canada's David Kennedy is live tweeting the hearing.

Feb 11, 11:11 a.m.: Bridge remains closed despite reports from CBC Windsor that protestors have agreed to open one lane of southbound traffic 

"I can tell you that the Bridge is still closed.  Protesters are still present and thus safety is our number priority. Even if you heard that there is a lane open doesn’t mean traffic is flowing," a Windsor Police Service spokeswoman told Automotive News Canada in an email.

Feb 11, 11:00 a.m.: Ontario Premier Doug Ford declares a state of emergency over the bridge blockade and occupation of Ottawa

For says he will use legal measures to enact orders making it "crystal clear" that it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure.

Ford says that includes protecting international border crossings, 400-series highways, airports, ports, bridges and railways.

He says fines for non-compliance will be up to $100,000 and up to a year imprisonment.

Feb 10, 8:17 p.m.: David Shepardson of Reuters reports Honda Canada has temporarily suspended some production Friday

Feb 10, 6:43 p.m.: Ford mulls air freight to move parts past Canadian border blockade

Ford Motor Co. is looking at flying in some auto parts to a plant in Windsor, Ontario, that produces engines for popular models, an official representing the auto workers union said on Thursday, as automakers and other manufacturers seek alternatives for moving products caught up in Canadian trucking protests.

Feb. 10, 6:02 p.m.: Ontario looks to cut off funding for protesters

The Ontario government took action designed to turn off the taps of donations flowing to the truckers' protest.

"The Attorney General brought an application in the Superior Court of Justice for an order under the Criminal Code  prohibiting any person from disposing of, or otherwise dealing with, in any manner whatsoever, any and all monetary donations made through the Freedom Convoy 2022 and Adopt-a-Trucker campaign pages on the GiveSendGo online fundraising platform," according to a statement issued Thursday evening by the premier's office.

The premier's statement said the order was issued and "it binds any and all parties with possession or control over these donations."

The campaigns have raised millions for the protesters occupying downtown Ottawa and blockading the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.

Feb. 10, 5:39 p.m.: Injunction hearing adjourned until Friday

The Windsor Star reported that a court hearing for an injunction sought by the city and provincial busines leaders to help end the blockade near the Ambassador Bridge was adjourned until noon Friday to allow "for any concerned defendants a chance to be notified."

Feb. 10, 4:09 p.m.: City of Windsor seeks injunction; Michigan offers up help

Windsor, Ont. Mayor Drew Dilkens said the city is seeking an injunction that will give police the authority to clear protestors that have halted truck traffic at the Ambassador Bridge since Monday, resulting slowdowns at auto assembly plants in both Ontario and Michigan.

Protestors might be removed by force, as growing ranks of Ontario Provincial Police arrive in Windsor and Michigan’s governor offers to provide heavy equipment to assist with the removal of vehicles. 

Link to full story below:

Feb. 10, 3:21 p.m.: Canadian Trucking Alliance denounces protestors 

The Canadian Trucking Alliance called on all levels of government to put an end to blockades disrupting borders and critical trade routes.

“Many of those who are protesting having their lives disrupted by certain policies are, in turn, ironically disrupting the lives of their fellow Canadians,'' Stephen Laskowski, president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance, said in a statement to The Canadian Press. “Whether it's the dedicated truck driver who's stuck at the border and unable to get home to his or her family or the factory worker who is sent home from work because critical products and raw materials aren't being delivered, the only people who these blockades hurt are the hard-working Canadians who have kept our nation moving.

Feb. 10, 3:13 p.m.: Global Automakers of Canada call on "all levels of government" to "disperse" protestors

Feb. 10, 3 p.m.: Canadian Association of Moldmakers calls for federal resolution to blockade

Feb. 10, 2:44 p.m.: More police on the way, says Windsor mayor

Feb. 10, 2:12 p.m.: Windsor council to seek injunction to end bridge blockade

Feb. 10, 2:05 p.m. :Ambassador Bridge owner Moroun to Trudeau: Concede vaccine mandate or clear trucks at bridge blockade

Four days into a blockade that has brought international trade at the Ambassador Bridge to a grinding halt, Detroit International Bridge Co. Chairman Matthew Moroun thinks Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has three options:

• Trudeau can end Canada's COVID vaccine mandate for truck drivers after the vast majority of them got inoculated against the virus
• He can order law enforcement agencies to start towing vehicles and arresting the protesters who have blocked access to the Moroun family-owned Ambassador Bridge,
• The third option, Moroun said, is to "do nothing and hope it goes away."

-Crain's Detroit Business

Feb. 10, 2:02 p.m.: Toyota operations impacted

In statement, Toyota said the Ambassador Bridge blockade has impacted operations at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.

“We expect disruptions through the weekend, and we’ll continue to make adjustments as needed,” the statement said. “While the situation is fluid and changes frequently, we do not anticipate any impact to employment at this time.”

Feb. 10, 1:17 p.m.: Trade associations say blockade straining auto supply chain

Industry groups representing the Detroit 3 automakers, suppliers and equipment manufacturers on Thursday urged the Biden administration to improve efforts to address the ongoing blockade at the Ambassador Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border.

Feb. 10, 12:52 p.m.: Windsor mayor says protesters could be removed by force

Reuters reports Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, has called the blockade illegal and asked protesters to return home. Police near the Ambassador Bridge have begun receiving additional manpower.

"(If) the protesters don't leave, there will have to be a path forward. If that means physically removing them, that means physically removing them, and we're prepared to do that," Dilkens said.

Dilkens and Canadian auto industry officials will be holding a press conference at 2 pm ET to provide an update on the local response to the protests, disrupting U.S.-Canada trade along the Ambassador Bridge. Also present will be:

• Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
• Brian Kingston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association
• Rakesh Naidu, President & CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

Automotive News Canada journalists will cover the press conference. Live updates will be posted on the Automotive News Twitter account.

Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m: Linamar CEO calls on protestors to end blockade

Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of supplier Linamar Corp., issued a direct plea to the demonstrators blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge. "To the protestors, please get off the bridge and let our people get back to work earning money for their families,” Hasenfratz said in a statement Thursday. "The last two years have been so disruptive to every one of us and our families with situations we can’t control; this one we can."

Feb. 10, 11 a.m.: Honda says U.S. and Canada plants running but disruptions possible

Honda of Canada, which operates assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, temporarily suspended manufacturing on one production line Wednesday evening due to border delays but is back online, according to a company spokesman. “We continue to monitor the disruption of transportation between Canada and the U.S. and will adjust production scheduling as necessary. Further production delays as a result of these disruptions are certainly possible.”

Feb. 10, 10:15 a.m.: Michigan governor tells Canada to reopen bridge traffic