Authorities Struggle to Contain Canada Protests

Ottawa police are bracing for thousands of protesters to descend on Canada's capital for the third weekend in a row - and another rally is expected in Montreal - as local and national governments fight to end the crisis that  disrupted international supply chains.

In Windsor, Ont., along the border with the United States, Mayor Drew Dilkens is expected on Friday to seek a court order that would allow him to evict protesters from the Ambassador Bridge. Mr Dilkens said Windsor City Council had authorized the city to apply for an order "to put an end to this illegal occupation.”

The crisis began two weeks ago, when loosely organized groups of truckers and others gathered in Ottawa to protest against vaccination requirements for truckers entering Canada. The protests have since morphed into a broader battle  by right-wing groups and others against pandemic restrictions.

Automakers were hit particularly hard by the partial closure of the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor and Detroit. Truckers carry $300 million worth of goods, about a third of which are related to the auto industry through this route.

The Teamsters union denounced the blockade and called on protesters - including truck drivers - to end the disruption, which has threatened thousands of jobs. The union, which represents 15,000 long-haul truckers in Canada, but are not usually protestors, said in a statement late Thursday that these demonstrations continue to "hurt workers.” 

This group had previously called for the protesters  to disperse, but to no avail.