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Toyota halts production at THREE Ontario plants after Freedom Convoy truckers block the Ambassador Bridge in protest at COVID mandates: Trudeau accuses drivers of 'endangering jobs, impeding trade and threatening the economy'

  Three Toyota plants in   Canada   are to cease production for a week due to the truck drivers' protests and blockades as Prime Ministe...

 Three Toyota plants in Canada are to cease production for a week due to the truck drivers' protests and blockades as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the drivers of harming the national interest.

The three Canadian factories - two in the Ontario town of Cambridge and one in Woodstock, Ontario - employ 8,000 people and follow the General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan, in grinding partially to a halt. It now means that at least six production facilities are closing due to the protests.

The Ambassador Bridge, which runs between Detroit in the U.S. and the Canadian border town of Windsor, was blockaded on Wednesday for the third day in a row.

Canadian truck drivers have, since mid January, been protesting against COVID-19  vaccine mandates which they say harm their industry. Canada has a high level of vaccination - almost 90 percent of adults are vaccinated, and 85 percent of truckers. The blockade is not supported by the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

Trudeau on Wednesday tweeted: 'The blockades in Windsor and Ottawa are endangering jobs, impeding trade, threatening the economy, and obstructing our communities. They must stop.'

He said he spoke with Ontario's premier Doug Ford, and that they were 'working to support Ontarians and get the situation under control.'

The Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada is pictured on Wednesday. It normally sees 8,000 trucks cross every day

The Ambassador Bridge between the U.S. and Canada is pictured on Wednesday. It normally sees 8,000 trucks cross every day

Protestors against COVID-19 vaccine mandates block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario, on Wednesday

Protestors against COVID-19 vaccine mandates block the roadway at the Ambassador Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan with Windsor, Ontario, on Wednesday

Vehicles block the road to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia on Wednesday as the truckers' protest continues

Vehicles block the road to the Blue Water Bridge in Sarnia on Wednesday as the truckers' protest continues

Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron on Wednesday

Trucks heading to Canada are stuck in heavy traffic after they were diverted to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron on Wednesday

Long lines of backed up traffic is seen on Wednesday in the U.S. as trucks are caught up in the protests

Long lines of backed up traffic is seen on Wednesday in the U.S. as trucks are caught up in the protests

Ford added: 'We will continue working together to support our police forces as they manage these situations. We both agreed this must come to an end.'

The bridge being blocked carries 25 percent of trade between the countries and sees 8,000 trucks pass each day.


The General Motors plant in Delta Township, Michigan has been forced to cancel a second shift due to lack of supply for production.  

The plant employed 1,401 workers for the second shift, which ran from 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

'We are working closely with our logistics providers to mitigate any potential impacts to our production and operations,' Erin Davis, a communications representative with GM, told WLNS.  

Another major key trade route to the U.S. became snarled due to protests. 

About 20 protesters with about 15 tractors bearing Canada flags blocked traffic on a section of Highway 402 that leads to Sarnia's Bluewater Bridge. 

The protesters gathered around parked tractors, portable toilets and agricultural equipment on the highway and in an adjacent farm field. 

Trudeau has called the truckers 'swastika-wavers' after one demonstrator was seen flying the Nazi flag in Ottawa, and has refused to budge on his mandate, saying he 'doesn't listen to people who illegally block borders'. 

Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario, is one of three to close for a week due to the protests

Toyota's plant in Cambridge, Ontario, is one of three to close for a week due to the protests

The Cambridge South plant is also closing for a week

The Cambridge South plant is also closing for a week

The car company's factory in Woodstock, Ontario, is pictured. The three plants will close for a week, putting 8,000 employees out of work temporarily

The car company's factory in Woodstock, Ontario, is pictured. The three plants will close for a week, putting 8,000 employees out of work temporarily

Trucks block the street by Parliament Hill on February 9, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada

Trucks block the street by Parliament Hill on February 9, 2022 in Ottawa, Canada

A trucker supporter sits on a couch as they block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor

A trucker supporter sits on a couch as they block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor

Police block Huron Church road which leads to the Ambassador Bridge

Police block Huron Church road which leads to the Ambassador Bridge

On Wednesday, conservatives leaders called on Trudeau to set a date to end the restrictions. 

But Trudeau said the decision is based on science and said conservatives should be there for Canadians by ending the protests and barricades.  

Trudeau was accused by the Opposition Leader Candice Bergen of politicizing the pandemic and dividing Canadians. 

'It seems like the Prime Minister wants to live in a permanent pandemic,' she said. 

He accused conservatives, supporting the protests, of harming Canadian business. 

'The support of the conservative party for barricading our streets and border crossings is harming businesses and driving up prices, uncertainty and stability,' he said. 

'The Ambassador Bridge is critical for trade and this blockade poses significant risk to our supply chains. 

'Illegally blocked trade routes means empty shelves and higher prices. They have a right to protest, but they don't have a right to illegally block roads and harass residents.' 

The White House has also weighed in on the blocked Ambassador Bridge, saying that it risks hurting the auto industry for the United States.

'We are watching this very closely,' White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a news briefing. 

'The blockade poses a risk to supply chains, for the auto industry.'

Psaki said a White House Homeland Security adviser convened a meeting on the issue and officials are talking with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office and automakers.

'There are a number of steps we have proactively taken,' Psaki added.

U.S. customs officials have helped reroute some commercial travel to the Bluewater Bridge that connects Port Huron, Michigan, to Canada, allowing a trickle of traffic to get through, but trucks were also backed up for several miles in Port Huron. The bridge is completely blocked for those exiting the bridge and entering Canada from Michigan. 

The city's Mayor Drew Dilkins called for extra police along the border to help plan for a 'protracted protest' and said 'every hour this protest continues our community hurts'. 

Truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge

Truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge

Anti-vaccine mandate protestors wave flags as others block part of an intersection near the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario on February 9

Anti-vaccine mandate protestors wave flags as others block part of an intersection near the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario on February 9

Protestors block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, effectively shutting it down on February 9

Protestors block the last entrance to the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Detroit and Windsor, effectively shutting it down on February 9

Firefighters put out a burning barrel fire as truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in Windsor, Ontario, on Wednesday

Firefighters put out a burning barrel fire as truckers and supporters block the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in Windsor, Ontario, on Wednesday

Protesters have also been blocking the border crossing at Coutts, Alberta, for more than a week and a half. 

About 50 trucks remained there on Wednesday. 

Truckers have been protesting along the border and in the capital city Ottawa for nearly two weeks calling for an end to the government's vaccine mandate. 

'I think it's disgusting for any leader of a country to vilify people for exercising their democratic rights, their right to protest, the right to demonstrate peacefully,' one trucker, Andy Wing, told Fox News.  

In response to the protests though, a rapidly growing list of Canadian provinces moved to lift their COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday. 

Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Prince Edward Island announced plans this week to roll back some or all measures, with Alberta, Canada's most conservative province, dropping its vaccine passport for places such as restaurants immediately and getting rid of masks at the end of the month. 

Meanwhile, police in Ottawa could face a lawsuit after two officers on Sunday arrested and manhandled a 78-year-old grandfather for honking his horn. 

Gerry Charlebois, who stands at 4ft-10in, now suffers from PTSD after the arrest on Sunday, his son told DailyMail.com. 

The family shared photos of his injuries, which reveal dark purple bruises on his hands and along his arms and knees.

Charlebois' attorney David Amber told DailyMail.com: 'He's pretty traumatized by the entire situation. We are going to fight these provincial charges and explore the possibility of filing a civil suit.' 

Charlebois, a retired high school janitor, was fined $118 for 'unnecessary noise' but has not been criminally charged.  

For the third day in a row, trucks and vehicles lined the main route leading to Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, halting traffic at the border

For the third day in a row, trucks and vehicles lined the main route leading to Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, halting traffic at the border

Havoc at major US-Canada border crossing as protests continue
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On Wednesday morning, the Freedom Convoy blockade at Ambassador Bridge remained in place as dozens of vehicles lined the road leading to the bridge, blocking traffic for those exiting the bridge and entering Canada from Michigan

On Wednesday morning, the Freedom Convoy blockade at Ambassador Bridge remained in place as dozens of vehicles lined the road leading to the bridge, blocking traffic for those exiting the bridge and entering Canada from Michigan

The protesters, who are in support of the Truckers Freedom Convoy, have blocked traffic in the Canada bound lanes from the bridge since February 7. Approximately $323 million worth of goods cross the Windsor-Detroit border each day at the Ambassador Bridge making it North Americas busiest international border crossing

The protesters, who are in support of the Truckers Freedom Convoy, have blocked traffic in the Canada bound lanes from the bridge since February 7. Approximately $323 million worth of goods cross the Windsor-Detroit border each day at the Ambassador Bridge making it North Americas busiest international border crossing

Vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest on Wednesday

Vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest on Wednesday

Canadians with flags and placards on join the protest at the Ambassador Bridge

Canadians with flags and placards on join the protest at the Ambassador Bridge

A person holding Canadian flags shouts "Freedom" near Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest Wednesday

A person holding Canadian flags shouts 'Freedom' near Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest Wednesday

Detroit highway's exit to bridge closed due to anti-vax blockade
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Trudeau has ordered protesters to stop after Ottawa's mayor declared a state of emergency on Sunday. 

So far, 23 protesters have been arrested and more than 1,300 fines have been issued. 

'It is a criminal offense to obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property,' police said in a news release issued on Wednesday afternoon.

Police added that blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking of streets may result in criminal charges. And those with charges related to the protest may lead to denial in crossing the U.S. border.

Police issued the warning hours after Ottawa's mayor announced that the city can now issue fines of $1,000 for certain offenses.    

Freedom Convoy organizers and supporters have said they are being portrayed in a negative light through the media's coverage and are tired of being labeled as a 'cult' and as 'villains'

'They're spinning their own narrative,' Ontario-based trucker Brigitte Belton told Fox News, referring to both the American and Canadian media. 

'This isn't a cult … The federal government, the city of Ottawa, all those organizations that are out to get us right now, maybe that's the cult.' 

Unvaccinated Belton, who helped organize the Freedom Convoy when she was barred from crossing the border into the United States due to the Canadian vaccine mandate, added that she is disgusted by the coverage, which she said is 'totally biased' against the truckers.    

Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed the demonstrators are being treated like terrorists. 

'This is a peaceful, political protest. No one has shown any evidence to the contrary. It's not a drug trafficking or human trafficking operation. It's not Al Qaeda,' Carlson said on Tuesday.

'These are Canadian citizens who drive trucks for a living, but they're being treated like a terror group.' 

The truckers themselves have strongly denied that they have ties to ultra-right-wing groups, insisting they are just 'ordinary truckers,' he said. 

But as the protests near the two-mark in Ottawa and three days at the border crossing, the protests also threaten supplies of fresh produce, livestock and other food. 

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, where he was accused by the Opposition Leader Candice Bergen of politicizing the pandemic and dividing Canadians. 'It seems like the Prime Minister wants to live in a permanent pandemic,' she said

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives for Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill on Wednesday, where he was accused by the Opposition Leader Candice Bergen of politicizing the pandemic and dividing Canadians. 'It seems like the Prime Minister wants to live in a permanent pandemic,' she said

Prime Minister Trudeau says 'this siege is unacceptable'
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Trudeau (pictured Wednesday) then hit back and said that he doesn't 'listen to people blockading our streets' and doubled down on calling for the Opposition to condemn the truckers

Trudeau (pictured Wednesday) then hit back and said that he doesn't 'listen to people blockading our streets' and doubled down on calling for the Opposition to condemn the truckers

People play hockey while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest vaccine mandates

People play hockey while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest vaccine mandates 

A group of people stand around as vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge on Wednesday morning as the Freedom Convoy protests continue

A group of people stand around as vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge on Wednesday morning as the Freedom Convoy protests continue

Windsor Chief of Police Pam Mizuno and Deputy Chief Frank Providenti walk by Wednesday morning while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, for the third day in a row

Windsor Chief of Police Pam Mizuno and Deputy Chief Frank Providenti walk by Wednesday morning while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, for the third day in a row

Line of trucks stretch several miles at Michigan border crossing
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Canadians at border crossing supporting the 'convoy for freedom'
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Flavio Volpe, president of the Canadian Auto Parts Manufacturers Association, said the protesters have no right to park vehicles in the middle of roads. 

He questioned how many of the protesters were truckers because trucker associations and large logistics companies have disavowed the blockades.

'It is really a collection of kind of anti-government provocateurs,' he said. 

Even a five-hour delay can cause production disruptions because factories are running so lean on part supplies with an already fragile supply chain, said Jeff Schuster, president of the LMC Automotive consulting firm in Troy, Michigan.

'Everything is so 'just-in-time' these days,' he said. 

'We're still dealing with parts shortages in general and supply chain issues. This is just another wrench in the industry that we're dealing with right now.'  

Business associations on both sides of the border have called for the reopening of the bridge. 

'As our economies emerge from the impacts of the pandemic, we cannot allow any group to undermine the cross-border trade that supports families on both sides of the border,' they said in a joint statement.

The bridge, one of the busiest border crossings on the continent, handling around 8,000 trucks a day. Business associations on both sides of the border have called for the reopening of the bridge

The bridge, one of the busiest border crossings on the continent, handling around 8,000 trucks a day. Business associations on both sides of the border have called for the reopening of the bridge

Anti-Vax Protesters Gather At Border Crossing In Surrey, BC, Canada
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A person holds a sign while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, for a third day

A person holds a sign while vehicles block the route leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, for a third day

Police stop a group of trucks which made their way around a police barricade in an attempt to join the anti-vaccine mandate protests at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario on Wednesday

Police stop a group of trucks which made their way around a police barricade in an attempt to join the anti-vaccine mandate protests at the Ambassador Bridge border crossing, in Windsor, Ontario on Wednesday 

A person walks underneath the Blue Water Bridge, as nearby truckers and their supporters continue to protest on Wednesday

A person walks underneath the Blue Water Bridge, as nearby truckers and their supporters continue to protest on Wednesday

For a third day in a row, trucks and vehicles lined the main trade route leading to Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan , which typically sees about 8,000 trucks pass through daily and accounts for 25 percent of trade between the two countries

For a third day in a row, trucks and vehicles lined the main trade route leading to Ambassador Bridge, which links Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan , which typically sees about 8,000 trucks pass through daily and accounts for 25 percent of trade between the two countries

Garrett Buchanan drove 10 hours from High Prairie in northern Alberta to join the protest and said he is staying until their demands are met.

'Yeah - until the mandates get dropped, and if they can work on getting (Trudeau) out, I'd stay longer for that, too,' he said.

The daily demonstrations staged by the Freedom Truck Convoy are centered in Ottawa, where demonstrators have used hundreds of parked trucks to paralyze parts of the capital for more than 10 days. 

Protesters have said they will not leave until all vaccine mandates and COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. 

The daily demonstrations began as a protest against vaccine requirements for truckers who enter the country by land, but has since expanded to call for the dismantling of nearly all COVID-related restrictions.

They intensified this week, when truckers started blocking the Ambassador Bridge.  

On the other side of the country, video surfaced of a Calgary-based pastor Artur Pawlowski being arrested for mischief by allegedly participating at the Coutts border blockade, where protesters have blocked Alberta's most important border for the past week.

An elderly woman tries to navigate a downtown street as hundreds of truck drivers block the streets in downtown Ottawa as part of a convoy of protesters on Wednesday. Over 400 vehicles have now joined the convoy which has forced businesses to close and unnerved residents

An elderly woman tries to navigate a downtown street as hundreds of truck drivers block the streets in downtown Ottawa as part of a convoy of protesters on Wednesday. Over 400 vehicles have now joined the convoy which has forced businesses to close and unnerved residents 

A trucker carries a gas canister with "Freedom of Choice" written on it, as truckers and supporters continue to protest in Ottawa on Wednesday

A trucker carries a gas canister with 'Freedom of Choice' written on it, as truckers and supporters continue to protest in Ottawa on Wednesday

People carry gas canisters at the Coventry road staging ground, as truckers and supporters continue to protest in Ottawa on Wednesday

People carry gas canisters at the Coventry road staging ground, as truckers and supporters continue to protest in Ottawa on Wednesday

A view of the saunas at the truckers staging ground at Coventry road, as truckers and supporters continue to protest in Ottawa on Wednesday

A view of the saunas at the truckers staging ground at Coventry road, as truckers and supporters continue to protest in Ottawa on Wednesday

A protestor holds a sign that reads 'communism has no home here' while protesting in Ottawa on Wednesday

A protestor holds a sign that reads 'communism has no home here' while protesting in Ottawa on Wednesday

Two protesters with signs walk in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office as demonstrators continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

Two protesters with signs walk in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office as demonstrators continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

Protesters and supporters clear snow and ice in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office as demonstrators continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

Protesters and supporters clear snow and ice in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office as demonstrators continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

Gas cans line the street in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and supporters continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

Gas cans line the street in front of Parliament Hill as truckers and supporters continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

People pump gas canisters at the Coventry road staging ground, as truckers and supporters continue to protest Wednesday

People pump gas canisters at the Coventry road staging ground, as truckers and supporters continue to protest Wednesday

Truck driver Lloyd Brubacher stands in front of his truck as demonstrators continue to protest the Covid-19 vaccine mandates

Truck driver Lloyd Brubacher stands in front of his truck as demonstrators continue to protest the Covid-19 vaccine mandates

Truck driver Lloyd Brubacher looks out from his truck as demonstrators continue to protest the Covid-19 vaccine mandates

Truck driver Lloyd Brubacher looks out from his truck as demonstrators continue to protest the Covid-19 vaccine mandates

Police patrol the area near Parliament Hill as truckers and supporters continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

Police patrol the area near Parliament Hill as truckers and supporters continue to protest on Wednesday in Ottawa

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