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A new international bridge is being built, and paid for, by the Canadian taxpayers, to connect the Canadian Province of Ontario, with the US State of Michigan. The entire cost, including 250 million dollars to build the US Customs plaza, on the Michigan side of the bridge, will be paid for by Canada.
Why.....The US Federal Government and the State of Michigan have been stalling the project for more than 10 years. The existing Ambassador Bridge is all most falling into the Detroit river( it is privately owned by a US man ) and it is woefully inadequate in both it`s safety, and it`s narrow lanes.
The Ambassador bridge is the busiest International crossing in the WORLD, far surpassing any place between the USA and Mexico, for both commercial and private car traffic.
Now for my question to Americans..........Given that the Canadian Government is paying for the entire cost of building the bridge, and the US Customs facilities, as well...........
Should the jobs that the bridge creates, such as the toll both attendants, the duty free shop employees, and the bridge maintenance workers..........ALL be Canadian..............I think so. And so should the materials, contractors, suppliers, and labourers, to build the bridge.
Of course the US Customs and Immigration agents will be Americans, but the other jobs should be given to qualified Canadians, yes.....
Ok I have laid out the situation, here are some news articles to read up on.
As it stands now, the bridge will be paid for by the collection of tolls on both private cars, and commercial trucks, AND all of that money will go to the Canadian Government, none of it to the USA Government, who have continued to refuse to pay for their facility on the Michigan side of the bridge, or to contribute any funds to the bridge construction.
Remember that Canada is the biggest trade customer that the USA has. Bigger than China, Japan, and the UK combined. We sell you more, and we BUY more from you, than any other country. 37 of the 50 US states report that Canada is their number one export destination.
This is how your Government treats it`s biggest customer....... and biggest supplier.......
I have never understood many Americans' negative attitude towards Canada. What more could we ask for -- great neighbors, no chance of a war between the largest undefended border, big trading partners and a true ally. We instead spend our goodwill towards dictatorships like Saudi Arabia, or nations whose interests simply do not align with ours (Israel).
I'm here in Michigan and from my understanding, the Canadians really want and need this bridge and they are in better financial condition to pay for it. I'm glad there is going to be a second bridge because the crazy, greedy tyrant who owns the ancient Ambassador bridge has been the primary person who doesn't want a second bridge to be built. Gee, I wonder why? Competition, plain and simple.
Anyway, it has been a condition between Ontario and Michigan for Canada to take on the bulk of the cost, and they have been willing and very eager, just as long as the bridge is built. And they are naming it after Gordie Howe, the Canadian born Detroit Red Wings legend.
It'll be nice once the new bridge is built, the border between Canada and Michigan comprises of over 25% of trade in the US.
The bulk of the cost, NO ........... Canada is paying the ENTIRE COST of the bridge, AND the cost of building the US Customs facility, on the Michigan side of the bridge. To me that is not `the bulk of the cost `it is the whole cost.
What it comes down to is that the US Federal Government has refused to pay it`s share of an international transportation infrastructure development.
I guess that you have forgotten that Detroit is a part of the USA, and our trade with the USA is not restricted to JUST Michigan. Canada is YOUR countries biggest trading partner, by far.
Waldo Kitty. I guess that you have forgotten that Detroit is a part of the USA, and our trade with the USA is not restricted to JUST Michigan. Canada is YOUR countries biggest trading partner, by far. Kind of a short sighted remark on your part.
Jim B.
Lighten up. I suppose that Canadians don't get that it was a joke.
Works for me, Jim. If Canada waits for America it'll never get done. See Keystone Pipeline. So if Canada wants to build it, then yep, they to call the shots.
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