The scope of the Protest demonstration by Canadian truck drivers expanded, demonstrators blocked another cross-border passage between Canada and the United States on the 10th, and a number of automakers announced on the same day that they were forced to cut production in North America due to transportation disruptions.
The mayor of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, sought a court order to deport the demonstrators on the 10th.
Residents walking their dogs past truckers at the scene of a truck driver protest in Ottawa, Canada, on Feb. 10.
Protests in Canada's capital, Ottawa, continued to spill over, with the Ambassador's Bridge between the city of Windsor and Detroit, Michigan, and the cross-border passage between Couts, Alberta, Canada, and the United States blocked for several consecutive days. On the 10th, the demonstrators blocked the cross-border passage between Emerson and the United States in Manitoba, Canada.
According to Reuters, Canada and the United States trade goods worth about $511 billion a year, more than two-thirds of which are transported by road. Ambassador Bridge is the largest land trade route between Canada and the United States, with an average daily cargo value accounting for about a quarter of Canada-U.S. bilateral trade.
Blocked key points have exacerbated supply chain tensions. Due to the shortage of parts due to transportation interruptions, several automakers were forced to cut production.
A spokesman for Toyota Motor Corporation told Reuters on the 10th that due to "multiple logistics line interruptions", Toyota's factory in Ontario and Kentucky in the United States suspended production until the 12th.
General Motors said it suspended production at a mill in Michigan that makes sport utility vehicles on the 10th.
Ford Motor Company says its plants in Windsor and Oakville, Canada, have reduced capacity.
A police car stands guard at an intersection at a truck drivers' protest in Ottawa, Canada, on Feb. 10.
Some plants in the United States and Canada also shortened more shifts on the 10th.
"The situation at ambassador bridge (blocked), coupled with an already fragile supply chain, will create more difficulties for people and industries who are still struggling to recover from COVID-19," Strandtis said. ”
Some companies are considering replacing road transport with air transport, for example.
The new regulations announced by the Canadian government in mid-January sparked protests. The government requires truck drivers travelling between Canada and the United States to produce proof of COVID-19 vaccination when entering the United States. The U.S. side introduced a similar move a few days later. A large number of Truck drivers in Canada and the United States oppose the new rules. Demonstrators began marching into Ottawa in late January under the banner of a "free motorcade" to protest.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency on the 6th, saying that the demonstrations had gotten out of control.
People pass in front of truckers at a truck drivers protest in Ottawa, Canada, on Feb. 10.
With increasing political and economic pressure, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announced on the 10th that the city would seek a court injunction to end the demonstrations.
"The economic loss is not sustainable, it (the demonstrations) have to end," he said. ”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was working with city officials to take the necessary steps to end the Ambassadors Bridge demonstrations. He told reporters that the corporate shutdown hurt "ordinary Canadians".
In addition, a court in Ontario froze millions of dollars donated to demonstrators through a mobile phone app on the 10th.
Ottawa police warned demonstrators on the 9th that if they continue to "illegally" block the streets of the city center, they may face criminal charges, and the demonstrators' trucks may be seized. Still, about 400 cars remain on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Ottawa police said on the 10th that 25 people have been arrested on criminal charges.
The US government urged the Canadian government to use federal power to end the demonstration on the 10th.
The White House said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Majorcas and Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg had spoken to Their Canadian counterparts urging the latter to help resolve the stalemate.
(Original title: "Canadian truck drivers protest against the expansion of the scope of many car companies to cut North American production")