Protesters in trucks opposed to Covid-19 restrictions continue to paralyse the centre of Ottawa as similar demonstrations have now spread beyond the Canadian capital to border crossing into the US. The Emerson Port of Entry in Manitoba is the latest to be blocked.

The Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit was first blockaded by trucks in both directions late on Monday, with the final access being shut off on Wednesday night.

As a crucial commercial link between the US and Canada it has quickly hit supply chains with car manufacturers including Toyota and Ford already announcing issues. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has demanded action calling the situation “unacceptable”.

In Ottawa, residents are furious at the disruption and police have now threatened protesters with criminal charges. Progress was made in dispersing a small group of truckers was countered by a slow-rolling convoy around the airport, but that too has been cleared.

With access to GoFundMe cut off, the protestors have turned to other sources of funding and have reportedly been thrown a lifeline by a group of libertarian bitcoin evangelists.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has demanded the protesters go home, and the interim opposition leader Candice Bergen joined his call for an end to the stand off on Thursday morning.

In the US, the Biden administration is closely monitoring the situation, with a Department of Homeland Security bulletin warning of copycat protests hitting the Super Bowl in Los Angeles, and the State of the Union address in Washington, DC.

US Rep Slotkin says bridge blockade signal to bring back American manufacturing

Elissa Slotkin, congresswoman for Michigan’s 8th district, says the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge between Ontario and her home state is a signal that it is time to bring American manufacturing back home.

In a series of tweets on Wednesday night, the Democrat lawmaker wrote: “If we needed another example of why supply chains matter, look no further: the blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest border crossing in America, is already creating major disruptions for our businesses in Michigan.

“Michiganders have been saying for decades that when our manufacturing is outsourced too much, we end up paying the price. It doesn’t matter if it’s an adversary or an ally — we can’t be this reliant on parts coming from foreign countries.”

She continued: “I’ve been in contact with the White House today about this situation, and they are closely following these events. We are all waiting for Prime Minister Trudeau’s way forward.

“The one thing that couldn’t be more clear is that we have to bring American manufacturing back home to states like Michigan. If we don’t, it’s American workers like the folks at Delta Township who are left holding the bag.”

Oliver O’Connell10 February 2022 17:00

Ottawa airport protest jam cleared

The convoy protest that was circling Ottawa International Airport has been cleared according to the City of Ottawa.

Oliver O’Connell10 February 2022 16:47

Trucker protests disrupting Canadian car production says Toyota

Protests that began as a ‘Freedom Convoy’ are disrupting production at Toyota and Ford plants in Ontario as truckers block a vital U.S.-Canada trade route.

Demonstrations against Canada’s pandemic measures have been causing gridlock in downtown Ottawa since late January. Since Monday, truckers have shut inbound Canada traffic at the Ambassador Bridge, a supply route for Detroit’s carmakers and agricultural products.

Toyota says trucker protests are disrupting Canadian car production

Supply chain issues as well as severe weather and Covid-related challenges are affecting Toyota’s production across North America