Why economists say it's a bad idea to rely on a privately owned bridge for 25% of Canada's trade with U.S.

February 23, 2022

Blockade of Ambassador Bridge, owned by U.S. company, exposed Canada's weakest trade link, say some

When the Ambassador Bridge — a key trade corridor between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., — was blockaded by protesters earlier this month, it exposed a weak link in Canada's supply chain, not least because tolls from the bridge profit a company started by an American billionaire whose son now has the reins.

The protesters choked off the 92-year-old privately owned border crossing with ease.

Windsor resident Mary Ann Cuderman has been saying for years that the bridge is a "ready target."

"If they're going to make an impact, this would be the place," said Cuderman, 80, who started a bridge watchdog group and runs the Olde Towne Bake Shop, four blocks from the bridge entrance.

"An international bridge should never be privately owned," she said...

This was excerpted from the 22 February 2022 edition of CBC News.

Topic(s)

International Trade and Border Management

Information source

Canadian News Channel

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