(Ottawa) Authorities are grappling with a third demonstration after those in Ottawa and Coutts, Alberta. Trucks block lanes leading to the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, jeopardizing the movement of goods between Canada and the United States. It is one of the busiest Canada-US border links.
Posted at 2:32 p.m.
“The Ambassador Bridge is a vital artery for our country and for our supply chain,” said Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair. The blockade must end before there is more damage. »
Mr. Blair and his colleagues Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, and Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, held a press conference on Wednesday to denounce the demonstrations by truckers who are paralyzing downtown Ottawa, the border crossing of Coutts, Alberta, and the Ambassador Bridge. However, they had few solutions to offer other than to help the local police services.
“You are hurting Canadians and you are not above the law,” said Minister Mendicino, addressing the protesters.
Some 4,000 trucks enter Canada through the Ambassador Bridge every day. The value of goods traded amounts to 350 million per day. The fact that traffic is blocked there is particularly detrimental to the automobile industry. Some factories had to temporarily close for lack of parts, laying off many workers.
“This interferes with Canadians’ livelihoods and their access to essentials like food in grocery stores,” said Minister Alghabra.
The Ambassador Bridge between Windsor, southern Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan has been blocked by anti-sanitation protesters since Monday. It is one of the busiest Canada-US border links.
On Tuesday, the president of the Detroit International Bridge Company, owner of the Ambassador Bridge, called on authorities to take quick action to resolve the situation.
With The Canadian Press