On Thursday, high ranking officials from the United States (US) urged the Canadian government to use federal powers to resolve the truck blockade at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor in Ontario to Detroit. The blockade is a part of the ‘Freedom Convoy,’ a group of Canadian truckers protesting against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s COVID-19 policy, particularly a vaccine mandate for cross-border truckers.
On Thursday, the White House confirmed that the US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had urged their Canadian counterparts to use federal powers to end the blockade that has impacted the US-Canada trade after several major automobile producers including Ford, Toyota and Honda were forced to shut down production. Mayorkas and Buttigieg affirmed that border and customs authorities in the two countries are “working with great urgency to ensure the continued flow of goods and services across,” with plans to look at alternative land, air and sea routes for trade.
The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that Ambassador Bridge accounts for 25% of trade between the US and Canada which is why Washington is “monitoring” the situation at the border “very closely.” Psaki confirmed that the Biden administration was in contact with auto companies that are at risk of further disruptions in the supply chain, and that Canada has taken several steps to alleviate the pressure including rerouting traffic to the Blue Water Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and opening all nine commercial lanes at the port. However, there is still a lengthy delay.
In a tweet, PM Trudeau slammed the blockade at the Ambassador Bridge calling it “illegal” and said that it is hurting jobs and the country’s economy. He also provided details about his contact with relevant officials and authorities over the matter, calling for all Canadian political parties to denounce the acts of the blockade.
This evening, I had several meetings that were focused on the illegal blockades and occupations happening across the country. They’re harming the communities they’re taking place in – and they’re hurting jobs, businesses, and our country’s economy. More below ⤵️
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 11, 2022
More than two weeks ago, thousands had gathered in the capital city of Ottawa to raise their voice against the Trudeau administration’s vaccine mandate, masking requirements and lockdowns. Protesters arrived in large trucks occupying major parts of the city, bringing the capital to a standstill. Ottawa’s mayor has declared a state of emergency and the Ottawa police department has opened 97 criminal offence investigations against the protesters for theft, property damage and hate crimes. Protesters were seen carrying hateful Nazi flags and desecrating national monuments.
Trudeau has strongly condemned the protests that have been organised by Tamara Lich, founder of the right-wing group called the Maverick Party. Trudeau has accused the protesters of “trying to blockade our economy, our democracy and our fellow citizens’ daily lives,” noting that they represent a small vocal minority since almost 90% of Canada’s cross-border truckers have had two COVID-19 vaccine shots. Canada’s anti-vaccine protests have galvanised right-wing groups across the world, inspiring similar style protests in Australia and New Zealand.