In declaring a provincial state of emergency to deal with the blockade, Ontario Premier Doug Ford pointed to long-term damage to Ontario’s competitiveness as being one of his primary motivations.
“We’re competing against our neighbours south of the border, we’re competing against the rest of the world, and the last thing we need is an anchor around our neck when we’re competing,” Ford said at a Feb. 11 press conference.
The border disruption drew criticism from U.S. lawmakers, who say the blockade shows that auto production should be contained within U.S. borders.
Reactions reached the highest levels of government, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden agreeing that swift action was required. Coupled with steps at the local and provincial levels, Trudeau on Feb. 14 invoked the Emergencies Act to counter ongoing Canadian protests and secure border crossings.
In place for 30 days, the act will also give police added authority to prevent revived blockades. The CME, among other industry actors, is calling on government to find a permanent solution for securing the country’s key trade infrastructure.
A ‘CANCER’ FOR CANADA?
Volpe has frequented Washington, D.C., recently to secure a Canadian carve-out to proposed U.S. legislation that would create incentives for U.S.-made EVs. The blockade will undo many of his efforts, he said.
“My … initial conversations aren’t going to be about Build Back Better or the EV tax credit anymore,” Volpe said. “It’ll be about [whether] the Ambassador Bridge blockade [was] a case study or a cancer.”
In Windsor, police said they have secured access routes to the Ambassador Bridge and have the tools in place to prevent another blockade. The industry expects that with truck traffic moving, the cross-border supply chain will return to its pandemic norm in the weeks ahead.
The effects on business could be longer lasting.
Cavalier Tool’s Galbraith, for one, has no doubt that Canadian companies should brace for impact.
“How big a hit is yet to be seen,” he said. “It really does hinge on how this crisis plays out. Because the bridge is open, doesn’t mean the crisis is over.”
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