U.S.-Canada bridge blockade: Live updates

An ongoing blockade on the Canadian side of the border in Windsor, Ontario is leading to production cuts at assembly plants and warnings of delays in new vehicle shipments to dealerships. Stay with this live blog for the latest developments at one of North American's busiest land border crossings and the impact in the automotive industry:

Feb. 13, 11:30 p.m.: Bridge reopens, company says

The Detroit International Bridge Company said traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, which had been closed due to a blockade protest in Windsor, Ontario, is now open. The opening follows a day when police moved in on protestors and made arrests.

Feb. 13, 2:33 p.m.: More turbulence taking place as police report more arrests

The Ambassador Bridget has not yet reopened. Windsor police on Sunday afternoon reported the protests moved to a nearby street and arrests were being made.

"Enforcement is continuing as demonstrators are in now on Tecumseh Road West in between Northway and Huron Church Road," the police said in a tweet at 2:33 p.m. EST. "There will be zero tolerance for illegal activity. The public should avoid the area. Multiple arrests have been made in this area."

Feb. 13, 11:20 a.m.: Windsor police say about 12 people have been charged

Windsor police spokesman Steve Betteridge also says the operation was a peaceful one and is “something to be extremely proud of.”

Feb. 13, 11 a.m.: Windsor mayor declares blockade over; timing of bridge opening uncertain

“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination,” Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a statement.

He also said “illegal acts, blockades and hate speech must not be tolerated and should be denounced.”

Feb. 13, 9:15 a.m.: Police clear protest zones

Local media report police have made progress clearing the protest zones in Windsor near the Ambassador Bridge. Some arrests have been made and vehicles towed. Some vehicles were driven off after the drivers were warned.

Feb. 13, 8:14 a.m.: "Arrests being made"

Windsor Police released a statement on Twitter saying they are taking action against the protesters and making arrests.

"Enforcement actions continue at the demonstration area with arrests being made," the tweet says. "Vehicles being towed. Please continue avoiding the area."

Feb. 12, 5 p.m.: Standoff continues

The standoff continued all afternoon between police and another group of protesters.

While police have successfully pushed back protesters from the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, more people were streaming into the area and the operation appeared to have stalled, Reuters reported. At 5 p.m., the Windsor Police issued this statement on Twitter:

"Active enforcement in relation to parking in the area of the protest is commencing. Vehicles are being ticketed and towed."

Feb. 12, 2:35 p.m.: Bridge reopening in doubt

An increasing number of protesters have arrived on foot and there is growing doubt that the bridge will reopen this afternoon, according to tweets from a reporter for The Windsor Star newspaper.

Deputy Chief Jason Bellaire told The Star that he can't speculate whether the blockade will be completely cleared today.

"It really depends on how things go and the interactions between demonstrators and the officers," he told the newspaper.

Feb. 12, 1:04 p.m.: Bridge expected to reopen Saturday afternoon after peaceful end

Bellaire tells Automotive News Canada he's focused on a peaceful end. He said "officers are focusing on a peaceful resolution, using diplomacy,  reasonable dialogue, no injuries no arrests; it's about as good a situation as we can have given the circumstances."

Detroit radio station WWJ 950 AM reported that the bridge was expected to reopen at noon, but the reopening has been delayed.

Feb. 12, 10:10 a.m.: Local media report no vehicles remain at the entrance of the Ambassador Bridge

CTV's Rich Garton reported that all vehicles had been removed from the blockade near the bridge north of College Avenue at Huron Church Road but that "people remain as police push the line back."

Feb. 12, 9 a.m.: Some protesters move out, some stay as situation looks peaceful

As of 9 a.m. EST, the situation looked peaceful, according to several social media posts and live Youtube feed. Photos show a strategically placed uniformed police officers at the entrance to the bridge, staring down the few protestors who remained. At least four buses — three of them Transit Windsor — are on site. Video posted by local media outlets show some protestors leaving the scene.

Feb. 12, 8:35 a.m. Windsor Police to start enforcement

The police department in Windsor, Ontario, tweeted Satruday morning it would begin enforcement "at and near the Ambassador Bridge."

Feb. 12, 7:02 a.m.: Canada braces for action on U.S.-border bridge blocked by protesters

Canada was bracing for more protests on Saturday against the government's pandemic measures, with the focus on the vital U.S.-Canada bridge that remained be blocked by demonstrators defying a court order and emergency measures and disrupting the North American auto industry.

The "Freedom Convoy" protests, started in the national capital Ottawa by Canadian truckers opposing a vaccinate-or-quarantine mandate for cross-border drivers, entered its 16th day on Saturday.

Protests have spread to three border points, including the Ambassador Bridge, North America's busiest land border crossing, where dozens of vehicles have crowded since Monday, choking the supply chain for Detroit's carmakers.

- Reuters

Feb. 12, 12:20 a.m.: Protesters continue to defy injuction

Protesters opposing pandemic restrictions flouted a court order and emergency rules, continuing to occupy a vital Canada-U.S. trade corridor early on Saturday, hours after a judge granted an injunction to end the blockade that has crippled North America's well-knitted auto industry.

- Reuters

Feb. 11, 10:23 p.m.: Protesters defy court order, continue to occupy key U.S.-Canada bridge

Protesters opposing pandemic restrictions were still occupying a vital Canada-U.S. trade corridor late Friday, hours after an injunction order to end the blockade that has disrupted North America's auto industry took effect.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised President Joe Biden quick action to end the crisis and earlier on Friday a Canadian judge ordered an end to the four-day-long blockade of the Ambassador Bridge, North America's busiest land border crossing.

That order came into effect at 7 p.m. ET, but more two than hours after the deadline, about 200 protesters, including children, milled around the entrance to the bridge, waving Canadian flags, while others set off fireworks.

Police, who started to gather in a parking lot a few blocks away from the protesters, began handing out pamphlets that outlined penalties under Ontario's emergency order, which takes effect at midnight.

Trudeau earlier told reporters that no action was off the table.

Occupying access roads leading to the bridge on Friday, protesters voiced defiance and there was little sign of them backing down.

"Canada is supposed to be a free country," said Liz Vallee, a protester from Chatham, Ontario. "When that freedom is threatened, we must stand up."

Vallee said she and others would stay until all pandemic mandates are lifted.

- Reuters

Feb. 11, 4:34 p.m.: Court injunction could end bridge blockade

The Ontario Superior Court granted an injunction on Friday that could end the five-day blockade of the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, as assembly plants in Ontario, Michigan  and elsewhere continue to curtail production due to parts shortages.

- David Kennedy

Feb. 11, 4:15 p.m.: From crops to auto parts, bridge blockade could have long impact

Add a blockade at the busiest U.S.-Canada border crossing to the list of supply chain problems pounding Michigan businesses.

The shutdown of the Ambassador Bridge this week, the main link between Michigan and its largest trading partner, over COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truck drivers and other issues quickly escalated to an economic emergency with far-reaching impact from farms to automotive factories.

- Crain's Detroit Business

Feb. 11, 3:30 p.m.: White House in “very close contact” with Canadian officials

WASHINGTON — The White House said it is in “very close contact” with Canadian officials regarding the ongoing blockade of key passageways between the two countries.

“We've also taken steps to help detour routes, so that a number of these trucks can move in different routes and be able to cross the border,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at a briefing Thursday. “For example, while the Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge continues to remain closed, Port Huron is fully operational.”

Psaki said Customs and Border Patrol is rerouting traffic to Port Huron and that all nine commercial lanes are open. The Detroit-Windsor tunnel also is open.

She said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also has been “deeply involved” in efforts to address the blockade and travel disruptions.

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke by phone earlier today to discuss the situation.

“The two leaders agreed that the actions of the individuals who are obstructing travel and commerce between our two countries are having significant direct impacts on citizens’ lives and livelihoods,” a White House readout of the call states. “The president expressed his concern that U.S. companies and workers are experiencing serious effects, including slowdowns in production, shortened work hours and plant closures.”

Trudeau has promised “quick action in enforcing the law,” according to the readout.

- Audrey LaForest

Feb 11, 3:18 p.m.: Canada Border Services Agency says Ambassador Bridge remains temporarily closed

"As ongoing protest activities in the area continue, the temporary closure of Canada bound traffic at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry (POE) remains in effect." Until further notice, the CBSA encourages travelers to consider the following alternate ports of entry to cross the border:

• Regular travelers at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel
• Commercial traffic at the Bluewater Bridge, which connects Sarnia, Ont., to Port Huron, Mich.

"The CBSA recognizes border disruptions affect both travelers and industry and is working collaboratively with law enforcement partners to restore normal border operations at affected ports of entry (POE) as quickly as possible."

Feb 11, 12:15 p.m.: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: "Everything is on the table because unlawful activity has to end"

Addressing the protests in Ottawa, Windsor and Alberta, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the demonstrations, which in Windsor are blocking Ambassador Bridge traffic between the U.S. and Canada, are a threat to the economy and public safety. He also said he has been in contact with President Joe Biden to discuss the blockades and foreign money funding illegal activity.

Trudeau says the people still illegally blocking streets in Ottawa and border crossings to the United States must go home or face increasingly severe consequences that could ruin their lives.

-Grace Macaluso

Feb. 11, 12:50 p.m.: 'Almost no one is making parts' in Canada, trade association says

Nearly every Canadian automotive supplier has ceased building parts for the time being due to the ongoing blockade at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario, according to the association that represents the sector.

“Almost no one is making parts today,” Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association President Flavio Volpe said early Friday morning. “It’s not art. If your customers aren’t making cars, you are not making parts.”

Feb. 11, 12:25 p.m:  Ford Ohio plant closed; trucks with GM parts get over bridge

Ford Motor Co. said Friday its Ohio Ohio Assembly Plant is down due to the border blockade and that its plants in in Oakville and Windsor are running at reduced capacity.

“This interruption on the Detroit/Windsor bridge hurts customers, auto workers, suppliers, communities and companies on both sides of the border that are already two years into parts shortages resulting from the global semiconductor issue, COVID and more. We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have widespread impact on all automakers in the U.S. and Canada," Ford said in a statement.

Meanwhile, four trucks containing parts for General Motors’ Spring Hill Assembly in Tennessee crossed the Ambassador Bridge on Thursday, according to a person familiar with production plans. The parts will support production at the plant Friday.

“We’re in good shape,” the person said.

Employees at Spring Hill worked an eight-hour shift Thursday compared with their typical 10-12 hour shift. The plant, which builds the Cadillac XT5 and XT6 and the GMC Acadia crossovers, gets door handles and other small parts from suppliers in Canada, the person said.

-Michael Martinez and Hannah Lutz

Feb 11, 11:11 a.m.: Bridge remains closed despite reports from CBC Windsor that protestors have agreed to open one lane of southbound traffic
"I can tell you that the Bridge is still closed.  Protesters are still present and thus safety is our number priority. Even if you heard that there is a lane open doesn’t mean traffic is flowing," a Windsor Police Service spokeswoman told Automotive News Canada in an email.

-Greg Layson

Feb. 11, 10:57 a.m.: Ontario declares state of emergency

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency in the province in response to protests blocking traffic in Ottawa and at the U.S.-Canadian border in Windsor. Ford said: "To protesters, We've heard you and it's time to go." The Canadian Press reported that the premier said he will use legal measures to enact orders making it "crystal clear'' that it is illegal and punishable to block and impede the movement of goods, people and services along critical infrastructure."

Feb. 11, 10:50 a.m.: CBC: Protesters open lane into Canada

The CBC is reporting protestors blocking traffic at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, have opened one lane of traffic from the bridge into Canada. The moving of vehicles from the lane comes as a court is scheduled to hear a request for an injunction against the protest by the city and trade groups. That hearing is scheduled for noon EST.

Feb. 11, :10:15 a.m.: Supplier Magna reduces some shifts

Magna International Inc. spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst said a "handful" of the supplier's plants in the U.S. and Canada have started to adjust or reduce shifts to match automakers' schedules. As an example, she pointed to a just-in-time seating facility in the U.S. that is idled today because the assembly plant it supplies is shut down.

On an earnings call with analysts today, Magna CEO Swamy Kotagiri said the company was "starting to see some initial impact" from the blockade as its automaker customers scale back production plans.

"We're watching it closely, and we hope it gets resolved quickly," he said.

-John Irwin

Feb. 11, 7:30 a.m.: Honda idles production line

Honda Motor Co. said it will suspend output from one production line on Friday at its plant in Alliston, Ontario, joining Toyota Motor Corp. and the Detroit 3 automakers in announcing various production losses stemming from the weeklong bridge blockade by protesters at the U.S.-Canada border.

Feb 10, 6:43 p.m.: Ford mulls air freight to move parts past Canadian border blockade

Ford Motor Co. is looking at flying in some auto parts to a plant in Windsor, Ontario, that produces engines for popular models, an official representing the auto workers union said on Thursday, as automakers and other manufacturers seek alternatives for moving products caught up in Canadian trucking protests.

Feb. 10, 6:02 p.m.: Ontario looks to cut off funding for protesters

The Ontario government took action designed to turn off the taps of donations flowing to the truckers' protest.

"The Attorney General brought an application in the Superior Court of Justice for an order under the Criminal Code  prohibiting any person from disposing of, or otherwise dealing with, in any manner whatsoever, any and all monetary donations made through the Freedom Convoy 2022 and Adopt-a-Trucker campaign pages on the GiveSendGo online fundraising platform," according to a statement issued Thursday evening by the premier's office.

The premier's statement said the order was issued and "it binds any and all parties with possession or control over these donations."

The campaigns have raised millions for the protesters occupying downtown Ottawa and blockading the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.

Feb. 10, 5:39 p.m.: Injunction hearing adjourned until Friday

The Windsor Star reported that a court hearing for an injunction sought by the city and provincial busines leaders to help end the blockade near the Ambassador Bridge was adjourned until noon Friday to allow "for any concerned defendants a chance to be notified."

Feb. 10, 3:50 p.m.: Windsor, Ontario, mayor seeks injunction to end bridge blockade choking off auto; Michigan’s governor offers to provide heavy equipment to assist with the removal of vehicles

Protestors blockading the busiest land border crossing between Canada and the United States may soon be removed by force, as growing ranks of Ontario Provincial Police arrive in Windsor and Michigan’s governor offers to provide heavy equipment to assist with the removal of vehicles.

Feb. 10, 3:32 p.m.: Automotive News is tracking disruptions to the supply chain caused by the protest (click here for a larger version of the map)

Feb. 10, 2:44 p.m.: More police on the way, says Windsor mayor

Feb. 10, 2:12 p.m.: Windsor council to seek injunction to end bridge blockade

Feb. 10, 2:05 p.m. :Ambassador Bridge owner Moroun to Trudeau: Concede vaccine mandate or clear trucks at bridge blockade

Four days into a blockade that has brought international trade at the Ambassador Bridge to a grinding halt, Detroit International Bridge Co. Chairman Matthew Moroun thinks Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has three options:

• Trudeau can end Canada's COVID vaccine mandate for truck drivers after the vast majority of them got inoculated against the virus
• He can order law enforcement agencies to start towing vehicles and arresting the protesters who have blocked access to the Moroun family-owned Ambassador Bridge,
• The third option, Moroun said, is to "do nothing and hope it goes away."

-Crain's Detroit Business

Feb. 10, 2:02 p.m.: Toyota operations impacted

Reuters reports Toyota is suspending production through Saturday at its plants in Ontario and Kentucky due to supply issues stemming from trucking protests in Canada at the Windsor-Detroit border. Production of the RAV4, RAV4 hybrid, Camry, Avalon, Lexus RX and Lexus ES are currently impacted.

“We expect disruptions through the weekend, and we’ll continue to make adjustments as needed,” Toyota said in a statement. “While the situation is fluid and changes frequently, we do not anticipate any impact to employment at this time.”

Feb. 10, 1:17 p.m.: Trade associations say blockade straining auto supply chain

Industry groups representing the Detroit 3 automakers, suppliers and equipment manufacturers on Thursday urged the Biden administration to improve efforts to address the ongoing blockade at the Ambassador Bridge at the U.S.-Canada border.

Feb. 10, 12:52 p.m.: Windsor mayor says protesters could be removed by force

Reuters reports Drew Dilkens, mayor of Windsor, Ontario, has called the blockade illegal and asked protesters to return home. Police near the Ambassador Bridge have begun receiving additional manpower.

"(If) the protesters don't leave, there will have to be a path forward. If that means physically removing them, that means physically removing them, and we're prepared to do that," Dilkens said.

Dilkens and Canadian auto industry officials will be holding a press conference at 2 pm ET to provide an update on the local response to the protests, disrupting U.S.-Canada trade along the Ambassador Bridge. Also present will be:

• Flavio Volpe, President, Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association
• Brian Kingston, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association
• Rakesh Naidu, President & CEO, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce

Automotive News Canada journalists will cover the press conference. Live updates will be posted on the Automotive News Twitter account.

Feb. 10, 11:30 a.m: Linamar CEO calls on protestors to end blockade

Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of supplier Linamar Corp., issued a direct plea to the demonstrators blocking access to the Ambassador Bridge. "To the protestors, please get off the bridge and let our people get back to work earning money for their families,” Hasenfratz said in a statement Thursday. "The last two years have been so disruptive to every one of us and our families with situations we can’t control; this one we can."

Feb. 10, 11 a.m.: Honda says U.S. and Canada plants running but disruptions possible

Honda of Canada, which operates assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, temporarily suspended manufacturing on one production line Wednesday evening due to border delays but is back online, according to a company spokesman. “We continue to monitor the disruption of transportation between Canada and the U.S. and will adjust production scheduling as necessary. Further production delays as a result of these disruptions are certainly possible.”

Feb. 10, 10:15 a.m.: Michigan governor tells Canada to reopen bridge traffic