Poilievre Pressures Carney Over Gordie Howe Bridge Terms
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Conservative Leader demands full disclosure of the agreement with the Trump administration as confusion grows over toll revenue and debt repayment.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to release the full details of the agreement reached with the Trump administration to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge. In a letter released via social media on Friday, Poilievre urged the Prime Minister to reveal what was "negotiated away to the Americans," according to CityNews Toronto.
The demand follows conflicting accounts regarding the deal, which was announced abruptly last Friday. CityNews Toronto reports that Prime Minister Carney provided contradictory information on Thursday, stating that toll revenue sharing would only occur after construction debt was repaid, while simultaneously claiming Canada and the U.S. would split net revenues after operational costs for the first 15 years.
Further complicating the matter, Bloomberg reported Friday that the deal contains no provision to cover debt servicing costs. A senior Canadian government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the Bloomberg report, noting that while the U.S. share of revenue will fund a regional economic development program in Michigan, Canada is permitted to use its share to pay down construction debt. This new 15-year agreement is distinct from a 2012 deal signed with former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, which stipulates that, after 15 years, all toll revenues go to Canada until construction costs are repaid, after which they are split with Michigan.
The $6.4-billion project faced delays after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick intervened in a scheduled June 12 opening, as reported by CityNews Toronto. The New York Times previously reported that Lutnick met with a member of the Moroun family—owners of the Ambassador Bridge and Republican donors—shortly before President Donald Trump threatened to block the bridge's opening unless the U.S. was compensated. President Trump later claimed on social media that he secured a "MUCH BETTER DEAL" for the U.S., allowing the bridge to open on July 27.