Joint Statement on Ambassador Bridge Protesting Blockade

Good Afternoon Chamber Members & Friends of the Chamber:

Yesterday, the Canadian, Ontario and Windsor-Essex Regional Chambers of Commerce issued the following statement regarding the closing of the Ambassador Bridge amid protesting blockades.

“Business associations on both sides of the border are calling for a swift and immediate clearing of the Windsor-Detroit Ambassador Bridge blockade and a timely re-opening of the bridge. The group also urges the federal, provincial, state, and local governments to work collaboratively to deliver rapid solutions to the illegal blockages of traffic, which now include the Ambassador bridge and the crossing between Coutts, Alberta and Sweet Grass, Montana.

The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest trade crossing in North America and a vital enabler of our two economies. Given the importance of ensuring that the supply of food, medical products and industrial goods can continue, the disruption at the Ambassador Bridge is an attack on the well-being of our citizens and the businesses that employ them.

As our economies emerge from the impacts of the pandemic, we cannot allow any group to undermine the cross-border trade that supports families on both sides of the border.

We stand ready to provide whatever assistance may be required to expedite a speedy re-opening of the Ambassador Bridge.”

At the time of release yesterday afternoon, the following associations and organizations had expressed their support for the above statement:

1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce
Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce
Association quebecoise de l’industrie du cannabis
Beer Canada
Brampton Board of Trade
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
Canada – U.S. Business Association
Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums
Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance
Canadian Airports Council
Canadian American Border Trade Alliance
Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters
Canadian Automobile Dealers Association
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers
Canadian Food Exporters Association
Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association
Canadian Meat Council
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Canadian Toy Association
Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce
Chemistry Industry Association of Canada
CropLife Canada
Detroit Regional Chamber
Electro Federation Canada
Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications
Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada
Forest Products Association of Canada
Freight Management Association of Canada
Global Automakers of Canada
Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce
Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce
Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce
Guelph Chamber of Commerce
Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada
Institute of Canadian Agencies
Leamington District Chamber of Commerce
Kenora & District Chamber of Commerce
Lincoln Chamber of Commerce
London Chamber of Commerce
Medtech Canada
Milton Chamber of Commerce
Mississauga Board of Trade
Niagara-on-the-Lake Chamber of Commerce
North American Strategy for Competitiveness
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Ottawa Board of Trade
Port Colborne-Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce
Quinte West Chamber of Commerce
Retail Council of Canada
Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce
St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce
The Barrie Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce, Niagara Falls, Canada
The Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce
Toronto Region Board of Trade
Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce
Welland/Pelham Chamber of Commerce
West Nipissing Chamber of Commerce
Whitchurch-Stouffville Chamber of Commerce
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wine Growers Canada
Woodstock District Chamber of Commerce