It’s a shame when big moments can’t be properly celebrated because you can’t rely on everyone to behave themselves.
There was supposed to be a joint celebration today to mark the official opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan.
Instead, Canada held a ceremony last week with no U.S. involvement.
The reason, yet another round of tariff threats and statements about our terrible trade practices and how they hurt U.S. interests.
It’s a shame really, because this newest bridge between our once very-friendly nations is the latest example of why Canada is the best friend the U.S. ever had.
Traffic along the Detroit-Windsor corridor is often a nightmare, especially on long weekends, while also serving as a vital route for supplies and finished products to enter both countries.
Canada stepped up to fund and construct this project with no U.S. investment even though it benefits both nations. We agreed to share revenue even though we paid all the bills. And, we crossed the finish line on this monumental undertaking even while regularly getting disrespected for not being a good partner.
In spite of all of that, we still would have had a joint ceremony today, if it weren’t for the latest in a series of attacks last week and the fear they a certain someone could make another declaration while the bridge was opening.
All of this to say, it’s hard to build bridges between nations, when one person’s mouth can only produce roadblocks.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
