Police warn about significant delays at Ambassador Bridge as protest continues
Posted February 10, 2022 9:58 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2022 10:27 am.
A protest against COVID-19 measures is preventing Canada-bound traffic from crossing the Ambassador Bridge for yet another day.
Police say those using the border bridge to cross into the U.S. can expect significant delays and are telling all motorists to avoid both access points to the span due to the ongoing demonstration.
The protest on the Canadian side of the bridge has prevented Canada-bound traffic from crossing since the demonstration began Monday.
Police say the potential for congestion along Wyandotte Street West near the Ambassador Bridge could result in travel delays for students attending schools in the nearby areas.
Protesters are being advised not to endanger members of the public or engage in illegal activities after a man was arrested Wednesday for driving in an unsafe manner.
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The bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit is considered the busiest international commercial land border crossing in North America. It carries 25 per cent of all trade between Canada and the U.S.
In an interview with CBC’s Metro Morning, Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens said about 150 people are protesting at the bridge.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are working to get the situation in Windsor and Ottawa, where a similar demonstration has dragged on for nearly two weeks, under control.
Ford called for an end to the “illegal occupation and blockade” of the bridge.
“The Ambassador Bridge is one of the most vital trade corridors in our country. The damage this is causing to our economy, to people’s jobs and their livelihoods is totally unacceptable. We cannot let this continue,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Dilkens said his office has received many complaints from local residents and business owners calling for the forced removal of the demonstrators.
“You have 100 people who are holding hostage part of our national economy,” he said. “That is why this cannot be allowed to be sustained for any length of time. Action will have to be taken to reopen this bridge.”
More than $450 million in goods cross the bridge each day representing one-third of all surplus trade between Canada and the United States, Dilkens added.
Automaker Ford of Canada is running its plants in Oakville, Ont., and Windsor at reduced capacity today, saying the disruption at the bridge could have widespread impact on automakers on both sides of the border.
Meanwhile, Stellantis says U.S. and Canadian plants cut short second shifts Wednesday night due to parts shortages caused by the closure of the bridge.
