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The Ambassador Bridge Closure and the Chamber Perspective

February 9, 2022
Truckers critical of Canadian COVID-19 vaccine mandates have blocked access into Canada at the Ambassador Bridge. The protest is on its fourth day and has shut down traffic on one international gateway and backed it up at the Blue Water Bridge between Port Huron and Sarnia.

Chamber Response

Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandy Baruah, spoke with multiple national and international media outlets to discuss the trucker protest blocking the Ambassador Bridge and the potential impact on global and regional manufacturing. The Chamber joined more than 70 business associations on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2022, in calling “for a swift and immediate clearing of the Windsor Detroit Ambassador Bridge blockade and a timely re-opening of the bridge.”

CBC Power & Politics

NewsNation

CTV Windsor
View the article here.

Impact on the Automotive Industry

  • The trucking industry carries more than two-thirds of the $521 billion in goods traded annually between Canada and the United States.
  • Multiple shifts at plants across the industry and in both the U.S. and Canada have been reduced due to the slowdown in the supply chain.
  • Inbound traffic to Canada is still shut down and has been rerouted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, where throughout the day on Wednesday, delays reached up to five hours to cross into Canada. However, as of Thursday morning, there are no delays to cross into Canada and a two-hour delay crossing into the U.S.
  • Noncommercial traffic remains open on the Ambassador.
  • The Tunnel between Windsor and Detroit is open and there is currently no delay to cross.

Canadian Quarantine Rules 

  • If not fully vaccinated, a Canadian truck driver will need to meet the requirements for pre-entry, arrival, and Day-8 testing as well as quarantine. They may be able to deliver their load before quarantining. A government official at the point of entry has the discretion to determine whether an unvaccinated truck driver with the right of entry will be permitted to deliver their load before quarantining. If permitted, upon entering Canada, the driver should proceed directly to the unloading location, stay in their truck and once unloaded, go directly to their suitable place of quarantine.
  • The final decision regarding entry and quarantine is made by a government representative at the port of entry, based on the information presented to them at the time.

This situation remains fluid and the Chamber and MICHauto are continuing to work with partners to support the safe and speedy resolution of the dispute.