Canada will not share bridge tolls with US until debt repaid, Carney says

Source: Reuters

Canada will not share with the United States toll revenues from a new $4.7 billion bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, ‌until Canada recoups its initial investment, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday.

The delayed opening of the Gordie Howe bridge, paid for by Canada, has increased tensions and incurred economic costs for both the United States and Canada at a time the two neighbours are trying to work out an updated trade agreement. Some U.S. politicians are also angry about ​how Canada is handling ongoing wildfires.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said he had secured "a much better deal" for the U.S. to allow ​the bridge's opening, set for July 27. Political opponents criticized Carney for caving to the U.S. after American officials ⁠said they "went from getting no revenue" to getting significant revenue.

But at a press briefing on Thursday, Carney said the underlying agreement with Michigan on the ​Gordie Howe bridge remained unchanged from 2012, when Canada agreed to front the cost of the bridge. According to that deal, Canada was entitled to collect ​all toll profits until it recovered the costs of its bridge investment.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/canada-will-not-share-bridge-tolls-with-us-until-debt-repaid-carney-says-2026-07-16/