Minister says he's 'open to working with' Windsor after the city says it's suing over convoy expenses

Canada's public safety minister says he's open to "working with" Windsor after the mayor announced the city is suing for expenses related to the 2022 Ambassador Bridge blockade.

Dominic LeBlanc was questioned about the issue in the House of Commons Tuesday.

He didn't directly address whether the government would provide additional compensation, but he also didn't rule it out.

"I was happy some months ago to have an opportunity to talk to the mayor of Windsor," he said. "My colleagues on this side of the house have also been talking to me about what we can do to support the City of Windsor. And Mr. Speaker, we're always open to working with the City of Windsor. They've been a valuable partner to our government."

The city announced Monday that it would file a lawsuit over money it says it's owed to get an injunction to remove protesters. A group called the Freedom Convoy blocked the bridge for several days to protest COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Windsor West MP Brian Masse (NDP) pressed the government on the issue during Tuesday's session. He accused the Liberals of taking the city for granted. 

"Instead of forcing Windsor to fight in court, will this government repay the city and finally take responsibility for federal border costs, as they should?"

The federal government has provided $6.1 million to the city for expenses related to the February 2022 protest at the border over pandemic mandates.

However, the city and the Ottawa are at odds over $900,491 in outstanding legal expenses. The city says it spent $1.8 million in costs associated with getting an injunction to remove the protesters.

Windsor Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk, who represents Windsor-Tecumseh, said that he fought to have 50 per cent of those city's legal fees covered, which are usually not eligible for reimbursement. 

Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens said Monday he believes the expenses are eligible. Dilkens says the lawsuit is about is about "justice and fairness" for Windsor taxpayers.

In addition to the reimbursement, the city is also seeking a formal declaration of federal responsibility for policing and securing federal border crossings and compensation for ongoing expenses related to protecting Windsor's international border crossings. 

The City of Windsor is suing the federal government. Here's why

26 days ago

Duration 1:49

The City of Windsor has filed a lawsuit against the federal government. Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens says its because the federal government has not reimbursed them for all costs related to the Ambassador Bridge blockade, which took place in 2022. CBC's Jennifer La Grassa explains.

Meanwhile, Kusmierczyk is also pointing a finger at the province.

"What's important here is to date, the provincial government has stepped forward with exactly $0 to help defray the costs of the City of Windsor and its residents," he said Monday. "The question that I have is, where is the premier, where is the provincial government on this, especially considering that policing is 100 per cent fully the responsibility of the provincial government?"

In a statement to CBC News, a spokesperson for the provincial government's Office of the Solicitor General noted that the OPP was sent to Windsor and the city wasn't charged.

"We stand in support of the City of Windsor and it's up to the federal government to step up and support with the outstanding costs," the spokesperson said.