‘No question’ protecting Canada’s border relies on Windsor police: POEC inquiry testimony
Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino testified Tuesday at the Public Order Emergency Commission in Ottawa.
Mendicino was questioned by Jennifer King, the lawyer for the City of Windsor.
“There is significant reliance on Windsor’s police force to protect this piece of national infrastructure, right?” King asked Mendicino, to which he replied. “Yes.”
King went on, “and therefore there's a significant reliance on Windsor and its taxpayers to protect this border crossing since they are ultimately responsible to fund Windsor’s police force?”
“No question about it,” Mendicino replied.
In February 2022, the City of Windsor spent more than $5 million on the protest at the Ambassador Bridge, including maintaining public safety during the blockade, arresting protestors who refused to leave and the subsequent barricading of Huron Church after Feb. 14 when the bridge reopened.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens has been publicly calling on the federal government to repay the taxpayers the money.
During his evidence Tuesday, Mendicino was asked about a letter from Dilkens dated March 17, 2022, asking for a meeting to come up with a “comprehensive plan” about jurisdiction around Canada’s border crossings.
Mendicino said he’s in been in communication with Windsor on the matter and intends to have a meeting but didn’t commit to when.
Through his chief of staff, Mayor Dilkens declined to comment until the inquiry concludes.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.