Auto groups, City of Windsor seek injunction to end Ambassador Bridge blockade of Ontario-U.S. traffic

The latest developments:

• Ontario Superior Court to hear submissions on injunction application on Friday.
• Auto groups, City of Windsor seek injunction against Ambassador Bridge protesters
• Federal government sending moreRCMP to Windsor, says public safety minister.
• Protesters block only street leading to side entrance to AmbassadorBridge.
• CBSAsays bridge "temporarily closed," diverts commercial traffic to Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia.
• Protesters block portion of Highway 402 heading towardBlue Water Bridge, sayOPP.

Auto-industry groups, backed by the City of Windsor, Ont., areseeking an injunction to end a blockade by protesters at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge that has been disrupting traffic on the major U.S.-Canada trade route since Monday.

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told a newsbriefing on Thursday thatthe city"will work with police to enforce that injunction" if granted.

"The individuals on site are trespassing on municipal roads and if need bewill be removed to allow for the safe and efficient movement of goods across the border," he said.

Protests against vaccine and other pandemic mandates have been stepping up over the past week in various Canadian cities.

Dilkens said the main applicants for the injunction arethe Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Associationand Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association, along with theCity of Windsor and Chamber of Commerce "as supportive interveners."

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he had a long phone call with Ontario Premier Doug Ford on ending barricades.

Ontario Superior Court Chief Justice Geoffrey Morawetzaddressed the injunction application on Thursdaybut delayed hearing it until noon ET on Friday.

Morawetz saidhe understands the matter is urgent, but he noted that the application is "serious in nature" and the defendants should be given the chance to make their case.

He also granted the City of Windsor intervener status in the application.

The cityis a key player in the automotiveindustry, with manufacturersscaling back production on both sides of the border this weekas the protests havehampered the delivery ofparts and components.

Both Ford Motor Company and Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, have manufacturing plants in the city, also home to many parts manufacturers.

Protests a 'national crisis,' mayor says

Dilkens called the protests in Windsor a "national crisis" due to the economic impact of the closure, which he said is costing the economy$400 millionin commercial goods and food each day.

The mayor expressed frustration over the protesters, who he said have no clear leadership or asks.

"There is a variety of issues that have been expressed ... but this has moved more into an anti-government protest. This has moved into people here today saying they're onsite protesting due to climate change," Dilkens said.

"So this has taken on a life of its own way above and beyond a trucker protest. This is why we can't just let this lawlessness happen."

Dilkens said the injunction will ultimately be a document given to policeto enforce, but he hopes protesters will "see the light of day" and move on their own.

On Thursday, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the federal government will deploy more RCMP officers to the region to help local law enforcement.

"We'll continue to send resources as needed," he said.

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Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino announces the RCMP will be sending reinforcements to Ottawa, Windsor and Coutts.

Michigan Gov.Gretchen Whitmer added her voice to a growing call to end the blockade.

"Mymessage is simple:reopen traffic onthe bridge," she said in a media release on Thursday.

"The blockade ishaving a significant impact on Michigan's working familieswho are just trying to do their jobs.Ourcommunities andautomotive, manufacturing, and agriculture businessesare feeling the effects.It's hitting paychequesandproduction lines.That is unacceptable."

The governor implored all levels of the Canadian government to "de-escalate this economic blockade."

On Thursday, protesterscompletely blocked off the only side-street entrance to the Ambassador Bridge.

During the first three days, Windsor police were able to keep thatside street entrance to the bridge clear for the slow trickle of traffic.

However, overnight Wednesday and early Thursday morning, protesters moved to block an area of the street, forcing transport trucks and other traffic to a halt in the city's downtown core. The main artery to the bridge, Huron Church Road, has been blocked since Monday afternoon.

One truck driver toldCBC Newshe has been stuck in city traffic for more than seven hours.

CBC News witnessed an increased presence of Ontario Provincial Police at the protest sites in Windsor on Thursday.

Protestersays dealingswith police'a standoff'

Protester Manbae Singh-Gall was in the first vehicle parked and blocking the road to a side entrance to the bridge on Thursday. He said protesters were able to block the street despite the heavy police presence.

"It was a standoff, but we had grit and spirit, they have salaries," he said. "If they can run shifts, we can run shifts."

The west-end Windsor resident said he's been at the protests since Monday afternoonand his comrades are bringing more supplies.

WATCH | Protestersblocking another key road speak with police:

Protesters speak with police after blocking another key road in Windsor, Ont.

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Police and protestors blocking the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., attempt to negotiate late Wednesday night. Overnight, protesters blocked the only available route to the bridge, halting traffic in the city's downtown core.

"I want the right of choice. I don't mind the vaccine.I don't like them telling me," Singh-Gailsaid, adding he is not vaccinated, but only due to "laziness."

"My family lives in India.I haven't been in five years," he said, adding he couldn't visit for the last two years due to pandemic restrictions.

When asked what protesters want, Singh-Gall said,"Negotiation, middle ground, listen to us and we'll listen to you.Wise words prevail when leaders meet on the trail."

There is no access into Canada coming from the U.S. via the Ambassador Bridge, which remains"temporarily closed," according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

WATCH | Demonstrator says protestis for everyone's freedom, but trucker caught in traffic disagrees:

Protester says movement is for everybody's freedoms, but trucker disagrees

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During the fourth day of a blockade at Windsor, Ont.'s Ambassador Bridge, one protester explains why he's part of the demonstration, but a trucker caught in traffic says this movement is not for everyone.

Sarnia bridge traffic also snarled

Officials continue to direct commercial vehicles to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia, Ont.,but a portion of Highway 402en route to that international crossing has been blocked since Thursdayby protesters with farming equipment and other vehicles.

Blue Water Bridge is experiencing major delays of up to three hoursfor commercial traffic.

At Parliament Hill on Thursday, Essex MP Chris Lewis called for action from the federal government.

"These protests and the consequences fall squarely on the prime minister's lap," Lewis, a Conservative, said. "After two weeks of dithering, the solution will not be simple.

"The prime minister must ... meet with all leaders on Parliament Hill to find solutions, to end the COVID mandates, end the blockades of our critical border infrastructure, and restore peace, orderand good government."

Trudeau had left the House of Commons by the time Lewis spoke.

Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, who visited Windsor on Thursday, was critical of Premier Doug Ford for using "weak language" in the face of protests in Windsor and Ottawa, where demonstrations have been going on for over two weeks.

"I know Mayor Dilkens and everyone else involved is working hard to untangle this really tough situation, but there are measures I'm a former transportation minister you can't block a controlled access in Ontario, a highway in Ontario without there being repercussions. We need real leadership from Doug Ford right now," Del DucatoldCBC News.

WATCH | OntarioLiberal leader suggests strategies to stop protests blocking the bridge:

Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca says here are measures to take to stop protesters

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Duration 1:18

Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca visited Windsor Thursday, offering his strategies on how protesters can be stopped in Windsor and across Ontario.

Del Duca said he'd meet with local residents and business owners, but not protesters.

NDPLeader Andrea Horwathand MPPsLisa Gretzky (Windsor West), Taras Natyshak (Essex) and Percy Hatfield (WindsorTecumseh) have written to the premier, urging him to end the blockade.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ford spoke about the protest late Wednesday, sharing tweets following the discussion.

"The blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy, and obstructing our communities. They must stop. I spoke about that with [Premier Doug Ford]tonight our teams will keep working to support Ontarians and get the situation under control," Trudeau tweeted.

"We will continue workingtogether to support our police forces as they manage these situations. We both agreed this must come to an end," Ford said in his tweet.

On Wednesday, Windsor police and Dilkens requested support from the province, including an additional 100 officers, vehiclesand intelligence support.

TheWindsor-Essex Catholic District School Board also announced that three of its schools Holy Names Catholic High School, Assumption College Catholic High Schooland Assumption College Catholic Middle School will shift to online learning on Friday due to planned protests in the area.

The decision came after consultations with the Windsor Police Service. Social media posts indicate a student walkout toprotest mask mandates is expected to take place Friday afternoon, and there is concern outside protesters may join in. The board expects the schools will return to in-person learning on Monday.