Automakers are now hoping to get back to a normal production schedule after a Canadian judge granted an injunction against protestors blocking traffic on the Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetz’s injunction was set to take effect at 7 p.m. Friday. The timing was designed to give protestors time to vacate the area, reported the Detroit Free Press.
After the ruling was handed down, the Windsor (Ont.) Police Department issued a statement aimed at the protestors.
“The unlawful act of blocking streets at and near the Ambassador Bridge is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property and causing businesses to close down,” the statement said. “Charges and/or convictions related to the unlawful activity associated with the demonstration may lead to denial in crossing the USA border.”
Delays cause closures
At the start of the final day of the work week, more auto plants were being idled by parts shortages blamed on the trucker blockade of two key border links between the U.S. and Canada.
Honda was the latest automaker to be added to a list already including Ford, Stellantis and Toyota. General Motors said its operations are now operating at normal rates after making cuts earlier in the week.
That appears to reflect a workaround the largest of the Detroit automakers came up with, redirecting its shipments across the Peace Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario with Buffalo, New York. Reports suggested that some companies were also crossing in Sault Ste Marie where Michigan’s Upper Peninsula connects with Canada.
The injunction appears to only impact the Ambassador Bridge. There have been long delays at the Blue Water Bridge that links Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan. However, protestors appear to be changing tactics, switching to a “slow roll” plan causing traffic to go slowly, but not stop altogether. The Port Huron Times Herald reported a group of protestors are planning to meet at Thomas Edison Parkway in Port Huron Saturday.