Windsor ( #YQG) has long been attached to Detroit as a community, with families on both sides. Growing up, we crossed the border 2-3 times a week. Sometimes just to buy gas. #Onpoli 2/16
I have a lot of family members who’ve worked for Customs, now CBSA, over the years. A lot of local families have friends and families whose job relies on crossing the border. 3/16
The amount of trade that moves through #YQG is astounding, as the Ambassador Bridge is the busiest crossing between #Canada and the #USA 4/16
Over 25% of Canada-US trade moves through #YQG 5/16 https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/ambass_brdg/ambass_brdge_ovrvw.htm#:~:text=The%20Ambassador%20Bridge%20connects%20Windsor,used%20the%20bridge%20in%202000">https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/f...
Windsorites have a lot of connections to the states, many are key. #YQG manufacturing is involved in building PPE, medical equipment, and other essential items that must be allowed to cross the #Border #YQG. 6/16
This also means that #YQG has more contraband (drugs, guns, smuggled goods) running through us as it’s the simplest link to the Toronto area. 7/16
In the pandemic era #YQG, it means we also are at risk as a community. The supply line is important, there are reasons #Truckers are asking to be prioritized w/ vaccines. https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/truck-drivers-pushing-to-be-added-to-covid-19-vaccine-priority-list-1.5348284?cache=agylcuxajqn%3FclipId%3D104070%3FcontactForm%3Dtrue">https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/truck-dri... 8/16
Instead of discussing our vulnerability, I get the impression the border issue is being focused on airplane travel in Toronto. Maybe it’s an easy story, but it really ignores us. #YQG #Ontario 9/16
Travel is done for 2 reasons: business, or personal reasons. The people traveling for personal reasons are grating, but a lot of people HAVE TO TRAVEL. #YQG #Ontario 10/16
Planes are carrying in things like vaccines, PPE, along with people and while we’re focused on Pearson, most of our Covid cases are coming in through the USA. #YQG #Ontario 11/16 https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/u-s-the-biggest-source-of-covid-19-brought-into-canada-study-finds">https://nationalpost.com/news/cana...
This means that a large number of people with covid bringing it in are travelling through #YQG. That’s just how the people flow. 12/16
To me, border cities like Windsor/Sarnia should have been offered more resources. We have hotspots here, but of course, got taken off the list so someone less at risk could get prioritized. #YQG #Ontario 13/16
People are asking – should we have our borders open? Fact is, we can’t truly keep them closed. We need to keep key trade going. We also can’t deny Canadians entry into their country #YQG #Ontario 15/16
The debate is ignoring the reality of the border. In #YQG we live the reality of it, while the debate seems to move around without us. #Ontario It’s odd. 16/16
Linking this thread to this tweet. #YQG https://twitter.com/WindsorPoli/status/1387178180855963648?s=20">https://twitter.com/WindsorPo...