An Ontario Superior Court justice has granted an injunction that would bar protesters from blocking the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor.
Geoffrey Morawetz granted the injunction against the blockade effective 7 p.m. to "give individuals the opportunity and time to clear the area."
Demonstrators have been set up on Huron Church Road since Monday to protest against COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.
Justice Morawetz has asked a lawyer representing the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, which applied for the injunction, to send him a draft of an order.
In submissions, the association said the border blockade that began earlier this week was costing the sector tens of millions of dollars each day, as it had forced plants to reduce production.
The City of Windsor was granted intervener status, and its lawyer said the protest was impeding local residents' enjoyment of their homes and had forced the city to relocate emergency apparatus.
The Attorney General of Ontario was granted that same status, and said that not all forms of protest are protected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Meanwhile, a lawyer for an unnamed group of protesters argued that they were not blocking all lanes of the road, so an order is not necessary.
But the deputy chief of police told the city's lawyer that while one lane was open as a result of negotiations with the protesters, it was only to allow emergency vehicles access.
Moments after the injunction was granted, the Windsor Police Service issued a statement with a message to the demonstrators:
The Windsor Police Service wants to make demonstrators clearly aware that it is a criminal offence to obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property. The offence itself is known as mischief to property.
The unlawful act of blocking streets at and near the Ambassador Bridge is resulting in people being denied the lawful use, enjoyment and operation of their property and causing businesses to close down.
We are providing notice that anyone blocking streets or assisting others in the blocking of streets may be committing a criminal offence and must immediately cease further unlawful activity or you may face charges. You could be arrested if you are a party to the offence or assisting others in the direct or indirect commission of this offence.
Vehicles or other property related to an offence may be seized. Once a vehicle is seized, it may be detained and, following a conviction, possibly forfeited.
Charges and/or convictions related to the unlawful activity associated with the demonstration may lead to denial in crossing the USA border.
This is a developing story. More to come