Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
    • 2022 Canadians To Watch
    • Notable Champions of Diversity
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Toronto
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable Volume 2
    • EVs Decoded
    • 2023 Best Dealerships To Work For nominations
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. 2022 Border Blockade
February 14, 2022 05:22 PM

Windsor declares state of emergency to keep trade flowing at Ambassador Bridge

'It is possible people will come back. If they do, we will be ready for them,' Windsor police say of the protestors

Greg Layson
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Truck and Police
    GREG LAYSON

    A Canada-bound transport truck passes several police and first responders as it enters from the United States after crossing the Ambassador Bridge.

    Windsor, Ont., Mayor Drew Dilkens has declared a state of emergency in an effort to keep trade flowing freely at the Ambassador Bridge, which connects his city to Detroit, Mich.

    For six days, protestors, demanding an end to vaccine and mask mandates — with some calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — blocked access to the key international trade route the North American auto industry so heavily depends on. 

    The final handful of demonstrators were removed — or arrested — Sunday afternoon. The bridge quietly opened late Sunday night. 

    Traffic was flowing with no delay Monday. Still, Dilkens signed the order later Monday afternoon.

    Related Article
    U.S.-Canada bridge reopens as 'economic crisis' comes to an end

    The temporary order includes the closure of seven intersections with Huron Church Road and connecting east-west side streets. The move effectively turned the main six-lane road leading to the bridge into a corral from Highway 401, eliminating access from either side.

    “It will allow us to deal in real time should something happen in the very near future that we're all hoping doesn't happen, with respect to a repeat of what we saw in the last seven days," Dilkens said at a news conference.

    It’s not clear how long the state of emergency is in effect.

    While the Ambassador Bridge blockade has ended, Huron Church Road from the E.C. Row Expressway north to Wyandotte Street remains a bridge-traffic-only route. Learn more here: https://t.co/pEjySdOTrv #YQG #YQGTraffic pic.twitter.com/7SeFHe3o4G

    — City of Windsor (@CityWindsorON) February 14, 2022

    The bridge, which accounts for nearly 30 per cent of annual trade between Canada and the U.S., amounting to a trade value of US$323 million daily, according to a recent report from The Canadian Press. The bridge is used by more than 40,000 commuters, tourists and truck drivers crossing each day.

    Police from a variety of departments, including the Ontario Provincial Police, are stationed at every affected intersection.

    Windsor Deputy Chief Jason Bellaire said police had released all but two of the protesters, who've been ordered to remain away from the area. Those arrested came from a "mixed bag," he said, some were local residents while others came from "many hours away."

    Officers are "looking and listening" to see if protests will erupt at the border crossing again, Bellaire said.

    "It is possible people will come back," he said. "If they do, we will be ready for them."

    About 50 people were arrested, most charged with mischief and the vast majority released with the promise to appear in court and not be found anywhere near the bridge.

    Flavio Volpe, head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association called it “unacceptable” that so few protestors were arrested and charged with what some might consider minor offences. 

    “This is unacceptable. Decisions have consequences,” he tweeted. “This is still a developing story where I sit.”

    Brian Kingston, head of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, which represents the interests of the Detroit Three in Canada, is one of the auto executives calling for more security.

    Related Article
    Canadian bridge protest unmasks another supply chain vulnerability

    "This blockade has affected the livelihoods of thousands of people in the auto industry on both sides of the border," Kingston said. "It's time to take stock of what happened and put protocols in place to maintain an open border for our integrated supply chains."

    Volpe worries more protocols could make things worse in the long run.

    “History has taught us that any major interruption with regards to the border has brought in with it new protocols. Anytime the border thickens, the industry is forced to strategically adjust either through new costs or new sourcing,” he said. 

    “Maybe the $1 billion in unrecoverable automotive production in Canada and the United States — plus the hundreds of thousands of unpaid days for workers — will teach us not to take enforcement of the law for granted.”

    Volpe said, "a coincidental bright light is the second bridge soon to rise on the horizon.”

    The federal government is currently building a state-of-the-art, publicly owned span southwest of the privately owned Ambassador Bridge. The new Gordie Howe International Bridge will have six lanes of traffic and is set to be complete sometime in 2024.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Auto calls for beefed up border after costly blockade of Ambassador Bridge
    Recommended for You
    Ambassador Bridge with Trucks
    Auto calls for beefed up border after costly blockade of Ambassador Bridge
    Sign and Cop Line Ambassador Bridge
    Ambassador Bridge blockade fallout: U.S. companies more likely to head home
    Bridge-Protestor-Sign-01.jpg
    Judge extends court order to keep Ambassador Bridge access cleared of protesters
    cctv_vehicle-theft_1800x1200
    Sponsored Content: Many vehicle drivers in Ontario will be faced with a hefty insurance premium surcharge - on more vehicle models than you think – unless dealers do this
    Digital Edition
    Sept 2023 Issue
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes print issues delivered to your doorstep and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2022 Auto News Canada All-Stars
      • 2022 Canadians To Watch
      • Notable Champions of Diversity
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
        • 2023 Best Dealerships To Work For nominations
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Toronto
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable Volume 2
      • EVs Decoded
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS