OTTAWA — Canadian Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon has tabled a bill that would allow his ministry to control the purchase and sale of all international bridges and tunnels in Canada and regulate security, maintenance, and other operational practices.

The legislation would allow the government to exercise a level of authority over 24 international vehicular bridges and tunnels and five international railway tunnels linking Canada and the U.S., including a handful of private crossings.

Proposed amendments would provide the governor-in-council the authority to approve or veto the construction or alteration of international bridges and tunnels, and to “develop regulations pertaining to the governance, maintenance, safety, security and operation.” The proposal would also permit the feds to rule on any sales or transfers affecting the ownership of international bridges and tunnels.

The Ambassador has for years ruled the bridge with a tight
fist. A new gov’t proposal looks to change that

Furthermore, if the minister believes there is an immediate threat to the security or safety of any international bridge, he may direct the evacuation of the bridge or tunnel and the diversion of traffic or persons. The minister would also have the power to appoint a person to manage and operate the international bridge or tunnel on an interim basis in the event of an emergency.

As TodaysTrucking.com first reported, the federal Tories were on the verge last week of reintroducing a bill similar to one proposed by the former Liberal government, which would have also granted elected officials oversight of Canada-U.S. bridges and tunnels.

In that exclusive article, (link below) it was reported that the owner of the private Ambassador Bridge in Windsor-Detroit met with the Cannon and Ministry officials in Ottawa last week to discuss the high-volume border region. Sources told TT.com that owner Matty Moroun was also looking to discuss government plans to build a new crossing just southwest of his Ambassador.

At the meeting, Cannon reportedly planned to discuss with Moroun his government’s International Bridges and Tunnels Act. The announcement of this proposal comes two weeks after news reports in the Windsor Star described how Ambassador officials allegedly waved hazmat trucks onto the bridge despite a U.S. ban on dangerous goods freight.

The Ambassador is one of only two private bridges between Canada and the U.S. The other, the International Bridge in Fort Frances, Ont., and International Falls, Minn. is a small bridge owned by Abitibi-Consolidated and Boise Cascade.

“Our government has a responsibility to ensure that any crossing supports the national interests for safety, security and the efficient movement of people and goods,” Cannon said in a statement. “This act also meets the government’s agenda of securing Canada’s borders, improving infrastructure and supporting the creation of jobs through international trade.”

New Transport Minister Cannon reportedly told Ambassador
officials of his plan to have more say on bridges

According to the proposed regulation, the minister may order the owner or operator of an international bridge or tunnel to take any action that the minister considers appropriate to ensure that it is kept in good condition. Public officials may also regulate the maintenance and repair of international bridges and tunnels, including introducing rules requiring the owner to develop security plans and prepare reports for the minister on the condition of the bridge or tunnel.

Currently, the private owners of the Ambassador operate with a great deal of autonomy. Authorities have the right to limit, even restrict, law enforcement and safety engineers on the bridge.

Service Oversight:

If passed, the rules would give government the power to control “any matter relating to complaints in respect of tolls, fees and other charges, including the procedures to be followed and the person or body who is responsible for dealing with complaints.” Furthermore, public officials can oversee “the level of service that is to be provided by owners or operators of international bridges or tunnels.”

Change of Ownership:

“No person shall, without the approval of the Governor in Council purchase or otherwise acquire an international bridge or tunnel or acquire control of an entity that owns or operates an international bridge or tunnel” without government approval.

The Ambassador, because it’s been privately owned long before this amendment would come into effect, does not require government approval to continue operating the bridge, but would have to check with the government before selling it. Moroun has said in the past he might entertain selling of the bridge if the price was right.

The International Bridge in Fort Frances, however, is currently on the block.
Local politicians, including the mayors of both cities there, have expressed that the bridge would be best in public hands. Fort Frances Mayor Dan Onichuk said last year it’s not in the best interest for either community to let the bridge go to another private investor — especially an out-of-town interest.

However, the sale was scheduled to go through a broker to the highest bidder.