The premier of Canada’s biggest province declared a state of emergency, warning protesters choking off traffic at a key U.S. border crossing and causing gridlock in Canada’s capital they face stiff punishment if they don’t leave.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, in a news conference Friday alongside his solicitor general, said the government is enacting new powers to end the blockade, including issuing fines of up to C$100,000 ($78,800) and jail time.
The Ambassador Bridge from Windsor, Ontario into Detroit has been largely closed since Monday night. The conduit carries about one quarter of the commercial trade between the U.S. and Canada. Automakers including General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co., Stellantis NV and Toyota Motor Corp. have been forced to curb production.
Ford called the situation “a pivotal moment for our nation” with the “the eyes of the world” watching how Canada and its leaders confront growing public unrest over COVID-19 restrictions and the occupation of its capital city’s downtown core.
“What they are seeing, it’s not who we are,” Ford said. “This is not how we try to change things here in Canada. We do it through the ballot box.”
The new powers Ford announced are temporary under the state of emergency, but he said he intends to enshrine them permanently in legislation. The declaration gives the government authority to shut down institutions and business, limit travel and seize property.
“We will also provide additional authority to consider taking away the personal and commercial licenses of anyone who doesn’t comply with these orders.,” Ford said.
CTV News and other media outlets reported that protesters had agreed Friday morning to clear enough space for a lane of traffic to travel from Detroit into Windsor.
A provincial court will hear a request for an injunction later Friday that would clear the bridge. Should that and other vital trade conduits remain closed by protests, Canada risks suffering a first-quarter economic contraction. Economists also warn that extend supply chain disruptions could further fuel inflation, already at a three-decade high.
The bridge demonstration is an offshoot of protests in Ottawa that began Jan. 28 as a bid to repeal vaccine mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions. The movement has spiraled into a catch-all public outcry against government intrusion under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Copycat demonstrations have taken place in New Zealand and France, and are threatening to spread into the U.S. in coming days.
Ford said the protesters in Ottawa have taken the city “hostage” over the past two weeks, as hundreds of semis and other heavy vehicles remain blockading downtown streets leading up to the federal parliament buildings.
“I call it a siege because that is what it is,” Ford said. “It’s an illegal occupation. This is no longer a protest. With a protest, you peacefully make your point and you go back home.”
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