A local MP has questioned the government about a perceived lack of response on funding promised for Windsor following the crippling Ambassador Bridge blockade.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse of the NDP rose on the floor of the House of Commons Friday morning, questioning why there has been no response concerning the reimbursement of law enforcement overtime that was made necessary by clearing the blockade in February.
"We learned this week that this government will reimburse the City of Ottawa for the policing costs of the last mismanaged convoy crisis," Masse told the House of Commons. "Meanwhile, Windsor has heard nothing about the $6-million the city had to spend to clear the Ambassador Bridge blockade."
Masse also called out the minority Liberals for claiming victory once blockades in Windsor and Ottawa were cleared and commerce resumed.
"All week, we’ve heard the Liberals take credit for the work done in Windsor, but it’s my residents who still pay the price," said Masse. "We did all the right things, and we took it on the chin. Why is this government making it so hard for the people of Windsor?"
In response, MP Pam Damoff for Oakville North-Burlington, the parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Public Safety, said the ministry is aware of Masse's concerns.
"We're committed to protecting the wellbeing and safety of Canadians," said Damoff. "I actually just spoke with the minister this week about that very issue. I know he is alert to the problem, and I invite the honourable member to have a conversation, and I'll be happy to chat with him as well."
Friday was not the first time Masse questioned the Liberals about blockade reimbursement. He rose on March 30 to request a timeline but received a non-committal reply from Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino.
The blockade, which all but shut down access to the bridge for a week ending February 12, ended after the City of Windsor declared a state of emergency that gave law enforcement additional power to remove protestors that were illegally blocking the bridge to protest COVID-19 mandates. Multiple police agencies seized 37 vehicles and charged 46 people, but the operation was relatively peaceful.
