Ford Said He Couldn’t Direct Police When Trudeau Told Him the OPP Needed to ‘Act Immediately’ on Windsor Blockade

Police gather by the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont., to clear up a blockade set up by protesters demanding an end to COVID-19 mandates and restrictions, on Feb. 12, 2022. Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Feb. 9 that the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) needed to “act immediately” to clear the Ambassador Bridge blockade in Windsor, according to a call transcript.

“What are the next steps? You’ve said the OPP are going in. Are they keeping you apprised and do they understand the urgency?” Trudeau said.