The blockade at the Ambassador Bridge may have ended last Sunday, but we still don't know how much policing that demonstration has cost the City of Windsor.
Mayor Drew Dilkens told WindsorNewsToday.ca those costs are still climbing.
"We still have out-of-town officers here. There are still so many things that are still happening, and the response, I would say, is still being provided," he said.
(Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
As of Tuesday, Windsor Police announced it was reopening the northbound off-ramps to Huron Church Road from the E.C. Row Expressway. Traffic remains restricted on Huron Church between the Expressway and Wyandotte Street West. Only U.S.-bound traffic is allowed on the road, and the east and westbound streets that cross Huron Church remain closed.
"It is expensive," said Dilkens.
According to CTV News, Ottawa has spent $14.1-million policing the occupation in its downtown.
Ontario has declared a State of Emergency, while the federal government has invoked the Emergencies Act. Both pieces of legislation allow governments to seize property used during the illegal demonstration and use the proceeds to reimburse municipalities impacted by the convoy protests.
Dilkens said he wants to make sure Windsor gets its share.
"This was not a run-of-the-mill response that was provided. This was to respond to a national security incident that was happening in our city," he elaborated. "We will work and push very hard with our federal and provincial partners to be reimbursed for every penny of the cost that we've spent."
Dilkens didn't want to comment on the use of the Emergencies Act. He wanted to examine the legislation to see if it contained tools the province hasn't already deployed.
Windsor declared a State of Emergency earlier this week.
However, he anticipates changes are coming at the border, especially at the Ambassador Bridge.
"You'll see more traffic infrastructure put in place that gives police better operational control to deal with these types of situations so that never again can 200 people hold hostage the national economy of Canada," he said.
On Wednesday, Windsor Police said they had arrested 46 people for their alleged role in the blockade and laid 90 charges. Officers seized 37 vehicles.
