DETROIT — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on Canadian authorities Thursday to resolve a dispute over COVID-19 vaccination mandates that have led truckers in Windsor to block traffic into Canada over the Ambassador Bridge.
"My message is simple: reopen traffic on the bridge," Whitmer said in a statement.
More than a quarter of all trade between the United States and Canada happens over the Ambassador Bridge, particularly of automobiles and their components. Since Monday, a group of truckers known as the Freedom Convoy has prevented travel into Canada, forcing drivers to reroute to Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, resulting in two-hour waits and delays for commercial travelers.
"In Michigan, our economy continues to grow because of our hardworking people and innovative small businesses," Whitmer said. "Now, that momentum is at risk. Commercial traffic is at a standstill at the Ambassador Bridge and heavily backed up at the Blue Water Bridge."
She emphasized the passageway is crucial to Michigan communities and automotive, manufacturing and agriculture businesses.
All of Stellantis NV's North American plants were running as of Thursday morning, but a number of U.S. and Canadian plants had shortened second shifts Wednesday due to parts shortages.
"We continue to work closely with our carriers to get parts into the plants to mitigate further disruptions," spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said in a statement. "The situation at the Ambassador Bridge, combined with an already fragile supply chain, will bring further hardship to people and industries still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope a resolution can be reached soon so our plants and our employees can return to normal operations."
A spokesman for General Motors Co. wasn't immediately available. The company canceled a second shift on Wednesday at Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant. Production at Ford Motor Co.'s Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario was reduced and at its Windsor engine plant halted on Wednesday.
"This interruption on the Detroit/Windsor bridge hurts customers, auto workers, suppliers, communities and companies on both sides of the border that are already two years into parts shortages resulting from the global semiconductor issue, COVID and more," spokesperson Said Deep said in a statement on Tuesday. "We hope this situation is resolved quickly because it could have widespread impact on all automakers in the U.S. and Canada."
The governor added: "It's hitting paychecks and production lines. That is unacceptable." Whitmer called on Canadian local, provincial and national governments to address the situation and end the blockade.
"They must take all necessary and appropriate steps to immediately and safely reopen traffic," Whitmer said, "so we can continue growing our economy, supporting good-paying jobs, and lowering costs for families."
