Released February 13th, 2022
Friday evening, the City of Windsor and our partners – the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association and the Ontario Attorney General were successful in obtaining a time-limited injunction as a means towards ending the blockade.
Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador bridge came to an end. Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination.
I want to offer my sincere thanks to all law enforcement personnel involved for their determined, yet compassionate approach to the occupation.
I also want to thank the residents of Windsor who were impacted by this protest and respected the process needed to find a resolution.
Canada is nation that believes in the right to freedom of speech and expression, but we are also bound by the rule of law.
Elected leaders, myself included, will be judged in the fullness of time on how we responded to the COVID-19 public health crisis. As the virus mutates, our response has, and must continue to evolve.
As Canadians, there is more that unites us, than divides us and we must all find the resolve to approach those who hold different views with tolerance and respect.
Illegal acts, blockades and hate speech must not be tolerated and should be denounced.