Image Credit: Amru Salahuddien/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images 
Update (1340ET): More than 48 hours into protesters blocking the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, there are new warnings the auto industry might come to a “screeching halt” this week.
“Basically, if there’s a shutdown of transportation routes, the auto industry comes to a screeching halt in about two days,” Robert Wildeboer, executive chairman of Martinrea International Inc., said Tuesday on BNN Bloomberg Television.
Martinrea is a major auto parts manufacturer based in Vaughan, Ontario. It manufactures engine blocks, transmissions, cases, housings, suspensions, chassis components, and body paneling for automotive companies in Detroit.
“We have 38 trucks cross at the Detroit border per day and 16 in Sarnia,” Wildeboer said. Since protesters have shuttered the border crossing, it appears Martinrea’s ability to cross into Detroit has become challenging.
It's Day 2 of the anti-mandate demonstration in Windsor. There is no incoming traffic from the U.S. on the Ambassador Bridge and trucks are lined up for several kilometres to cross into Michigan. pic.twitter.com/cln0q3F8fk
— Dan Janisse (@winstarjanisse) February 8, 2022
Candian Freedom Convoy causes Ambassador Bridge to be closed at the Detroit and Windsor border again today. Story: https://t.co/J9eOJEPnfG pic.twitter.com/kgZczI6d0b
— Dave Bondy (@DaveBondyTV) February 8, 2022
So far, Martinrea’s shares trading in Toronto has yet to react to the disruption.
“A closure of the bridge would be catastrophic for the Canadian economy,” Brian Kingston, president, and chief executive officer of the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, told Bloomberg. “It’s responsible for approximately 25% of our goods trade, it is far and away the most important border crossing between Canada and the U.S.”
A group of protesters have blocked one of the busiest international land border crossings in Canada – the Ambassador Bridge which links Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, for the second day in a row.
As the CBC reports, “Dozens of demonstrators lined Huron Church Road, which feeds traffic to the international crossing from Highway 401, with trucks and vehicles starting Monday afternoon and into Tuesday morning with local police asking people to avoid the area.”
The Ambassador Bridge is closed.
Here’s the scene at Huron Church and College right now.
Police say it was calm overnight.
I’ve noticed the backlog of transport trucks caught in the protest have moved. pic.twitter.com/V9762O7dMS
— Chris Ensing (@ChrisEnsingCBC) February 8, 2022
As of Tuesday morning, Police announced in a tweet that one lane of US-bound traffic is open.
“I’m here for my kids, just to get it back to normal. They haven’t played hockey, it’s been a disaster. Just end, give us back what we need to live again. Trudeau, Doug Ford, just listen to us,” said Sam Kovak of Woodslee, Ont.
“”I was in Ottawa the past two weekends, all the people I talked to were vaccinated. It’s got nothing to do — just give us our freedom back,” he added. “Now we’re in the exact same position two years ago, my kids are still sitting at home, my wife is still sitting at home.”
“We’re sorry, but we have to make a stand.”
The Ambassador Bridge is one of the busiest international land border crossings in Canada and a major route for transport trucks.
Access to two schools on Huron Church Road near the bridge is limited Tuesday, prompting the Catholic school board to send a notice to families Tuesday.
Police are asking students and parents to avoid the road, and access the schools from California Avenue.
“The Windsor Police have assured that they have no concerns for student or staff safety at this time. They will have two police officers at the school to assist us with the situation this morning,” the memo read. –CBC