After months of advocacy by the mayor, council, and local members of parliament the federal government has announced it will provide up to $6.9 million in funding to cover costs incurred by the City of Windsor during the Ambassador Bridge blockade in February.
Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino visited Windsor Thursday to announce the funding.
"These federal funds will help to cover extraordinary costs incurred by the city in restoring public safety, ending the blockade and reopening the bridge," said Mendicino.
The City of Windsor originally estimated costs around $5.3 million, however, recent involvement in the Emergency Act Inquiry have increased the expenditure to around $6.9 million.
"We feel we're in the ballpark with $6.9 and we're very grateful for the support that covers the vast majority of the expenses incurred for this event," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
Despite the City of Windsor being made whole, Windsor-West MP Brian Masse says the costs felt by west-end residents can never be repaid.
"Those students, new comers to Canada, and also the working class in that area lost jobs, lost employment hours, lost a number of different things. When you look at the price of things right now in the economy those hundreds of dollars mean a lot to them and their families," said Masse.
He said he is grateful for the government's support but he didn't want to ignore the hardship the community felt.
