Taking a cue from his federal and provincial counterparts, Windsor's mayor has ended a state of emergency put in place due to trucker protests.
Mayor Drew Dilkens announced the lifting of the emergency, in place for almost two weeks since protesters blocked traffic heading to the United States via the Ambassador Bridge, shortly after noon Thursday.
Via Twitter, the mayor pointed out that the enforcement of traffic flow in the area will not end for the time being.
"The immediate threat has been cleared, and we have experienced about a week of cross-border trade, unimpeded," said Dilkens. "The City of Windsor secured an injunction from the Ontario Superior Court to further arm law enforcement with the tools to protect this vital trade infrastructure and the municipal road that connect to it."
Traffic along Huron Church Road continues to be limited to those heading to Detroit via the bridge. Dilkens said the effects of the crippling blockade are still being felt.
"Many businesses and residents in West Windsor are still coping with the enhanced security presence and restricted access along Huron Church," said Dilkens. "Windsor Police are evaluating the national security situation on a daily basis, and we have seen progressive reopening of east-west through streets over the course of the past week."
Dilkens has sent a letter to Helena Jaczek, the federal minister who oversees FedDev Ontario, asking that Huron Church Road businesses affected by the blockade receive the same financial aid granted to business owners in Ottawa's downtown core.
A local state of emergency declared for a police situation makes the municipality eligible for the recouping of policing costs. The mayor said he and Windsor police will work to request monetary support for the expenses generated by the blockade.
Dilkens has also called for cooler heads to prevail as Windsor and the rest of Canada recover from the fallout of the protests.
"The past few weeks have been difficult for many in our community," said Dilkens. "The protests in Ottawa, Alberta, and right here in Windsor exposed the deep divisions that exist among Canadians as it pertains to ongoing public health measures. Leadership at all levels of government will be required in the months ahead to help Canadians heal."
