US urges Canada to use federal powers to end bridge blockade

According to US President Joe Biden’s administration, Canada should employ federal authorities to alleviate the rising economic disruption caused by border protests as opposed to coronavirus mandates blocking a crucial U.S.-Canada trading route.

The Ambassador Bridge, North America’s busiest international land border crossing and a critical supply route for Detroit’s automakers, has been closed. Thus, halting some vehicle production and leaving officials scurrying to limit economic damage.

The protests began with a “Freedom Convoy” occupying Ottawa, Canada’s capital. It was to show opposition to a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, which was echoed by the US government.

On Monday, they began blocking the Ambassador Bridge, and two smaller border crossings in Alberta and Manitoba have closed.

US Canada border protests: Federal powers to resolve the situation

Copycat protests have spread to Australia, New Zealand, and France. Many pandemic-weary Western countries approach the two-year mark on coronavirus restrictions. The surge of infections driven by the extremely contagious Omicron variety has begun to decline in some locations.

According to a White House official, US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urged their Canadian counterparts on Thursday to “use federal powers to resolve this situation at our joint border.”

“U.S. and Canadian border and customs authorities are working with great urgency to ensure the continued flow of goods and services across our international border, leveraging alternative land routes, as well as air and sea options.”

Canadian federal authorities declared the blockade illegal, and have asked US Canada border protests’ protesters to return home.

Real harm to workers and economies

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet on Thursday that he had spoken with Drew Dilkens, the mayor of Windsor, Ontario, which borders Detroit. Also, the federal government was ready to assist Windsor and the province in resolving the crisis.

“It is causing real harm to workers and economies on both sides of the border,” he said.

Dilkens previously told CNN that police near the Ambassador Bridge have begun getting additional manpower.

“(If) the protesters don’t leave, there will have to be a path forward. If that means physically removing them, that means physically removing them, and we’re prepared to do that,” he said.

Windsor is pursuing a court injunction to have the demonstrators removed, according to Dilkens. He also added that he is trying to resolve the problem peacefully.

“(While) it may be gratifying for someone to see the forced removal of the demonstrators, such action may inflame the situation and certainly cause more folks to come here and add to the protest, and we don’t want to risk additional conflict,” he said.

Production cuts

Because of parts shortages, General Motors Co. and Chrysler-parent Stellantis had to cancel or reduce shifts. Also, adding to prior production cuts announced by Ford Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

Toyota announced that production at its Ontario and Kentucky factories would halt until Saturday. Hence, affecting the Camry, RAV4, and other popular models. 

According to a union official, Ford is considering flying in some vehicle parts to a Windsor factory. It makes engines for popular models.

Funds frozen

On Thursday, an Ontario court froze funds donated to anti-vaccine protesters via the app GiveSendGo. As of late Thursday afternoon, the convoy group had funded more than $8 million, according to the Boston-based business.

Protesters began assembling with their vehicles over two weeks ago in Ottawa. They have since taken over the main downtown street. The street leads through parliament, the Bank of Canada, and the prime minister’s office.

Road transport accounts for more than two-thirds of the $511 billion in commodities moved annually between Canada and the US. The Ambassador Bridge is owned by the Detroit International Bridge Company. It has urged Canada to stop the protest by repealing vaccine mandates or removing the trucks so that trade resumes.

“Hope this ends on its own”

A third alternative was to “nothing and hope this ends on its own; an option that will most likely prolong the blockade, further crippling our economy and putting more jobs at risk,” the company’s chairman, Matt Moroun, said in a statement.

Some American truckers stated they will bring two convoys to a fourth border crossing between Buffalo, New York, and Fort Erie, Ontario, this weekend. It is to demonstrate solidarity for the Canadian protesters.

According to a White House official, the US is beefing up its command post at the National Football League’s Super Bowl in Los Angeles. It is in response to allegations of a convoy that could interrupt the game on Sunday.

The official said that the Department of Homeland Security is making preparations to ensure that a ‘Freedom Convoy’ event in Washington, D.C. scheduled for early March “does not disrupt lawful trade and transportation or interfere with federal government and law enforcement operations and emergency services.”