Lessons learned: Local politicians, businesses reflect on one year anniversary of Ambassador Bridge blockade
One year ago, all eyes were on the city of Windsor, Ont. as protestors opposing COVID-19 restrictions shut down the busiest international border crossing.
Despite a court injunction, protestors held their ground for six days. The Ambassador Bridge blockade halted an estimated nearly $4 billion in trade activity.
“We started to see plant closures because goods couldn't get through in Ontario, in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, as far away as an auto plant in Kentucky,” said Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association.
On a local scale, Volpe said many local auto workers were on temporary lay off.
“I remember thinking how crazy this was. That these were Windsorites doing to their own friends and neighbours,” said Volpe.
Since the blockade, Volpe has been working to rebuild Canada’s reputation as a reliable trade partner.
At a recent auto industry event, Volpe said many automakers questioned him about the risk of doing business with Canadian companies.
“We have to spend a lot of our time explaining to people how we fixed it, closed the door and how we're mitigating it for the future,” Volpe explained. “This gives us less opportunity to actually talk about the talent in our city.”
Dozens of businesses in west Windsor impacted by the Ambassador Bridge blockade have now received federal relief funding totaling nearly $505,000.
Fred’s Farm Fresh received $10,000, the maximum amount.
“It did help but we probably lost that amount just on the roses we had purchased. We have to order our Valentine’s Day roses at least a month ahead of time,” said owner Fred Bouzide.
Ontario has since passed Bill 100, Keeping Ontario Open for Business Act, to prevent this type of disruption from happening again.
“It’s very clear that if you block a major piece of infrastructure, the fine starts at $100,000 and the action is immediate now,” said Volpe.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is also confident the legislation in place will prevent a future blockade.
“I think the existing legislation actually has enough teeth now to send a sharp signal to anyone thinking about doing this again, that they shouldn’t, because the consequences are too high,” said Dilkens.
One local politician believes there was one positive that came from the blockade. NDP MP Brian Masse said upper levels of government now understand how important it is to secure our border.
“I’ve been pushing for permanent funding for the creation of a border authority to manage traffic internationally,” said Masse.
He believes we need a strategic plan for a variety of potential border disruptions.
“Borders should be as a planned operation. We shouldn't be winging it every day. That's kind of still what we're doing, we're winging it every day,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Nearly 20 hours after a man climbed and remained perched on top of the Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary, the situation came to a peaceful resolution.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.