Main Highlights:
On Friday, a court ordered protestors at the Ambassador Bridge on the US-Canadian border to stop their five-day blockade, which has hindered
the flow of products between the two nations and pressured the automotive industries on both sides to cut production.
During a virtual hearing, Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz of the Ontario Superior Court said the injunction
will take effect at 7 p.m., giving demonstrators time to depart. Windsor police issued an instant warning to anybody else obstructing
the streets that they might be arrested and their vehicles seized.
As of Monday, drivers, especially in pickup trucks, have been clogging the Windsor-Detroit bridge.
Over the last two weeks, hundreds more truckers have crippled downtown Ottawa.
In Alberta and Manitoba, strikers have also shut down two other border crossings.
Ontario Premier, Doug Ford has also proclaimed a state of emergency on Friday, threatening harsh consequences for those whoever obstructs the free movement of goods and people.
Major Issues:
The ruling came after a four-and-a-half-hour court hearing in which the mayor of Windsor and lawyers for automotive parts manufacturers
argued that the seige was affecting the city and area excessive economic hardship.
Protesters’ supporters, including some truckers, contended that a disbandment order would violate their freedom
to peacefully protest vaccine regulations that hampered their ability to make a living.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau acknowledged that the outbreak is the cause of frustration for the demonstrators
but “these blockades are hurting everyday families, auto assembly workers, farmers, truckers, blue-collar Canadians.”
The Ambassador Bridge is the bustling crossing point between the United States and Canada, carrying 25% of all trade between the two countries.
The impasse comes amid when the auto sector is already struggling to cope with demand because pandemic-related computer chip shortages and other supply-chain bottlenecks.
Stay tuned with Artifex.News for further updates. Stay Connected, Stay Informed!
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons,Tanemori
