The province of Ontario has called for an emergency and says it will use the threat of hefty fines, jail time and the imposition of a motor vehicle license to end a ban that has crippled trade between Canada and the United States.
The border crossing at the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor and Detroit, has been closed since Monday as part of a nationwide protest against the epidemic borders, costing about C $ 300m (US $ 235m) per day.
On Friday afternoon, a court ordered the town of Windsor to evacuate protesters from an international bridge. Mayor Drew Dilkens called the blockade a “national crisis” and US officials have become impatient with the situation. The suspended order was due to take effect at 7pm to give protesters time to leave.
The decision came after Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford announced a provincial plan to combat the “disruption, intimidation and chaos” of protests that have crippled the country’s most important trade route. “There will be consequences for these actions, and they will be difficult,” he said.
He also called on the protesters to end the “siege” of Ottawa, which has been going on for more than two weeks, and said they were arresting city residents.
“It’s time to leave. And it is time to do it peacefully. ”
Penalties for blocking key routes, including bridges and highways, would include fines of up to C $ 100,000 and imprisonment for one year, Ford said.
Justin Trudeau described Ford’s measures as “mandatory and necessary”, adding that his government was looking at various ways to end the ban.
“Everything is on the table because this illegal activity must end, and it will end,” the prime minister told reporters on Friday.
Trudeau said officials were concerned about the possibility of violence but said bringing in troops was a last resort. “We are taking every precaution to keep people safe, but the safest way to end this is for everyone to return to your communities now.”
The prime minister also promised US President Joe Biden an immediate response to the crisis in the North American car industry.
In addition to earlier requests for U.S. officials and business leaders to take action, Biden expressed concern about the closure of automotive machinery and declining production during a meeting with Trudeau on Friday, the White House said in a statement.
“These two leaders have agreed that the actions of people who disrupt trade between our two countries have a direct impact on the lives and lives of our citizens,” the statement said.
U.S. Secretary of State Alejandro Mayorkas and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg have called on their Canadian counterparts to “use the organisation’s power to resolve the situation at our shared border,” a White House official said Thursday.
Ahead of the Ford announcement, protesters opened a single lane bridge to allow traffic. But as the delays grow in the economy, a number of car manufacturers, some of the largest employers in the region, are forced to cut back on production.
Today, the best advice I have for people who are illegally blocking Ambassador Bridge is to GO HOME, ”on Twitter Flavio Volpe, head of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association. “The immeasurable damage done by SELFISHNESS in [Canada] will be felt by your fellow citizens who will be talking about you for the next 30 years. ‘I lost my job because of your happiness.’ ”
Friday’s announcement made by Ford, leader of the Ontario Progress Conservative faction, marks his government’s second action against protesters and the banning of their trucks. Earlier this week, his government received a court order to stop any donations targeted by protesters nominated by GiveSendGo, using a Canadian criminal code provision that includes a clause that allows foreign funds to freeze. On Thursday, the U.S. online money-making forum said Canada had “ZERO jurisdiction completely” about the company’s handling of its finances.
Ford’s declaration of emergency in the province follows a similar announcement by the city of Ottawa last week, and is very different from the Conservatives, who previously congratulated the protesters but are beginning to delay their support.
On Thursday, however, the caretaker Conservative leader, Candice Bergen, urged protesters to dismantle their streets and return home.
Bergen had earlier described the group as a “loving, patriotic and peaceful” group of Canadians who were concerned about freedom during the Covid-19 borders, asking for photos and protesters.
Trudeau met with opposition leaders on Thursday night, but the prime minister has ruled that he may meet with protesters, who have called for an end to epidemics such as vaccinations and masks.
Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan have lifted their public health restrictions in recent days and Ontario have stated they may also repeal certain rules.
But Ford said any decision would be based on consultation with provincial health officials, dispelling the notion that protests were involved.
“I will never negotiate with people who break the law,” he said.