Tensions led by Canadian truck drivers over protests against the country's COVID-19 order have been simmering in recent weeks, so much so that traffic at key U.S.-Canada border crossings has descended into chaos.
The protest demonstration by Canadian truck drivers was sparked by new regulations announced by the Canadian government in mid-January. The rule requires truck drivers travelling between Canada and the United States to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination when entering the United States or face a two-week quarantine. The U.S. side introduced a similar move a few days later.
A large number of Canadian and American drivers opposed the new rule. At the end of January, demonstrators began marching into Ottawa under the banner of "free motorcades" to protest, demanding that the government remove all epidemic control measures.
Canada's capital, Ottawa, has officially declared a state of emergency across the city on February 6 due to the explosive surge in protests, saying the protests are out of control. According to foreign media reports, the protest gathered in Ottawa is estimated to involve nearly 50,000 trucks from all over Canada.
Vehicles block the streets of the city center (Source: Reuters)
The latest reports from the Canadian media show that the unprecedented truck driver protest has spread not only to the capital Ottawa, but also to the borders of several important cities and ports, including Toronto and Detroit.
On the evening of the 7th local time, the truck drivers who held the protest blocked the passage of the Ambassador Bridge between the city of Windsor in Ontario, Canada, and the city of Detroit, Michigan, USA, which is the busiest international intersection in North America.
On the 9th, the Ambassador Bridge was blocked from passing until the third day, and it was still impossible to pass normally, and the traffic on both sides of the border fell into chaos. According to Canadian media, about 50 to 70 cars and about 100 protesters were massing on the main road leading to the bridge. It is understood that on the afternoon of the 8th, the lane of the bridge in the direction of the United States has resumed traffic, and the lane into Canada is still closed.
According to Reuters, the Ambassador Bridge is one of the most important border crossings in the world, with an average of about 8,000 freight trucks per day, a total value of about 500 million Canadian dollars (about $393 million) and 25% of the trade between Canada and the United States, and the protests have had a huge impact on U.S. and Canadian freight.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said that when a border crossing of this size, which accounts for almost a third of the traffic between the United States and Canada, is closed, it will have a direct and substantial impact on the economies of both countries.
Vehicles block the route from Ambassador Bridge to Detroit and Windsor (Source: Reuters)
Canadian Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said blocking cross-border trade routes would have serious implications for the economy and supply chains, and automakers and food suppliers had already expressed concerns. The protest also threatened the supply of fresh produce, livestock and other foodstuffs.
It is reported that after the Ambassador Bridge was blocked, trucks transporting car parts and other goods had to take a detour to the Blue Water Bridge, about 100 kilometers away. However, due to the large number of vehicles taking a detour, there are long queues of cars waiting to cross the bridge. According to the transportation department, the truck will take nearly 3 hours more than usual to pass, and in general, the passage will take more than 5 hours more than usual.
Jeff Schuster, president of LMC Automotive Consulting in Troy, Michigan, said even a 5-hour delay could lead to production disruptions because factories are so dependent on parts supplies when supply chains are already fragile.
Hereby remind that the freight forwarders who have recently traded with Canada should pay attention to the delay and impact of this riot protest on the transportation of goods in time! Forwarding Know-how ~
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