Governor Gretchen Whitmer asked Canadian authorities to resolve the Ambassador Bridge closure. | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Governor Gretchen Whitmer asked Canadian authorities to resolve the Ambassador Bridge closure. | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer asked Canadian authorities on Feb. 10 to resolve the Ambassador Bridge closure, which is affecting the state's economy in sectors including automobiles, agriculture, manufacturing, and others, according to a press release from the governor's office.
"My message is simple: reopen traffic on the bridge," Whitmer said in the release. "In Michigan, our economy continues to grow because of our hardworking people and innovative small businesses. Now, that momentum is at risk. Commercial traffic is at a standstill at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up at the Blue Water Bridge."
The Freedom Convoy blockade at Ambassador Bridge has caused nearly $300 million in losses in wages and production, according to the Detroit Free Press.
"The blockade is having a significant impact on Michigan's working families who are just trying to do their jobs," Whitmer said. "Our communities and automotive, manufacturing, and agriculture businesses are feeling the effects. It's hitting paychecks and production lines. That is unacceptable."
The Detroit Free Press reported that the blockade cost the auto industry more than a quarter of a billion dollars, according to an analysis by an East Lansing-based economic research group.
"The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest land border crossing in North America, used by tens of thousands of commuters and truck drivers carrying hundreds of millions of dollars of goods every day," Whitmer said. "It is imperative that Canadian local, provincial, and national governments de-escalate this economic blockade. They must take all necessary and appropriate steps to immediately and safely reopen traffic so we can continue growing our economy, supporting good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families."
MSN reported that dozens of charges have been made in relation to pandemic mandate protests in Windsor, Ontario, that blocked Ambassador Bridge traffic.
At least 46 people face a total of 90 charges in connection with the blockade, which ended on Feb. 13, according to police.
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