Anti-vaccine mandate protests spread across the country, crippling Canada-U.S. trade

Federal ministers warned Wednesday that anti-vaccine mandate protests at two key Canada-U.S. border crossings have the potential to seriously disrupt the flow of goods in the days to come.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Ottawa, Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said the blockade at Windsor's Ambassador Bridge is particularly alarming because a quarter of all Canada-U.S. trade moves through that one crossing, which connects Canada with Detroit and points beyond.

Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of products have been held back for three days as 50 to 75 vehicles and about 100 anti-mandate protesters camp out on the main road that leads on and off the bridge.

The Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) has closed the bridge to commercial traffic temporarily, diverting trucks to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ont. instead. CBSA is reporting wait times in excess of four hours to make the short trip across to Port Huron, Mich.

"I believe it is very serious and potentially grave. It is already having a huge impact on Canadian industry and Canadian workers," Blair said of the disruptions.

"We've seen the criminal acts, acts of thuggery and the obnoxiousness that they've inflicted on the people of Ottawa. Now they're blocking the highways leading into our ports of entry. They're putting their foot on the throats of all Canadians."

Labour unions representing auto workers have reported some idled Windsor plants have sent workers home while the trucker convoy holds up much-needed parts coming from the U.S.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said central Canada could soon see empty store shelves because so much of the region's fresh food and produce comes into the country across that bridge.

"To be honest, I find it ironic that the same people who were trying to sell Canadians fake stories about empty shelves are now causing those shelves to go empty," Alghabra said.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said the protesters appear to be determined to stay. "They feel such a passion for this particular cause that they're willing to die for it," he said.

Speaking briefly to reporters before question period, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is working with Ontario and the City of Windsor to put an end to the blockade.

"We need to stop the blockage of supply chains. Jobs are affected," he said, adding he's "very preoccupied" with a protest movement that now threatens to bring trade in some regions to a standstill.

A spokesperson for U.S. President Joe Biden said the White House is watching events in Windsor "very closely" as concerns mount about the protests' effect on the highly integrated North American auto industry.

"The blockade poses a risk to supply chains for the auto industry because the bridge is a key conduit for motor vehicle components and parts," Jen Psaki said. "The president is focused on this."