Ambassador Bridge Blockade Cost Windsor Almost $5.7M & The City's Asking For Money Back

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is asking the feds and Ontario to reimburse the city for the almost $5.7 million that was spent as a result of the Ambassador Bridge blockades in February.

"As you are aware, the City of Windsor was the site of an illegal occupation at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge, disrupting trade and commerce for the United States and Canada, which began in the evening of February 7, 2022," Mayor Dilkens began in the letter that he penned to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and Ontario Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy on Tuesday.

Between obtaining a court-ordered injunction and the time it took Windsor police, OPP and RCMP to fully clear the bridge, it was about a week before traffic could once again pass through the border crossing — the busiest international crossing in North America.

But, Dilkens noted that the aftermath of the blockades has persisted through to March, with limited commercial traffic until March 13 and an ongoing heightened security presence along the main road connecting the border crossing to Highway 401.

"To that end, the City of Windsor is requesting reimbursement of approximately $5.7-million towards these unforeseen costs. It would be unreasonable to expect municipal taxpayers to shoulder these costs alone," Dilkens wrote.

The city estimates that the border blockade cost $5.1 million in policing services alone, with almost half of that going toward overtime pay to officers. Over $1 million went toward meals and accommodations for police, too.

"OPP and RCMP support was critical towards clearing the occupation in a peaceful and safe way and commitment that your governments displayed at the time helped bolster all those, myself included, who were dealing with the emergency situation unfolding in our community," Dilkens wrote.

"I am asking you to reaffirm that commitment with the appropriate financial support the City of Windsor requires to cover the costs associated with clearing the illegal occupation."

The rest of the total costs cover legal fees, public works operations, other emergency services, community support and more. Here's the total breakdown of the $5,665,000 Windsor spent to clear out the protests:

• Police services — $5,110,000
• Legal fees — $250,000
• Public works operations — $108,000
• Community support — $80,000
• Transit — $40,000
• Ambulance services — $37,000
• Fire and rescue services — $25,000
• Parks and facilities — $15,000

A spokesperson for Minister Bethlenfalvy told CBC News that the Ontario Ministry of Finance received the letter and is currently reviewing it.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.