The Difference of a Year

A transport truck crosses the Ambassador Bridge into the United States in the early morning hours of August 7th.

   Last summer, a week before I set out for some backcountry camping in Algonquin Park, the Globe and Mail hired me for a feature story on how the Gordie Howe bridge was set to lead Windsor, and the nation, to a new prosperous trading relationship with our southern neighbour.  The headline from Jason Kirby’s piece, ‘Windsor’s Gordie Howe bridge is supposed to revitalize Canada-U.S. trade. But as protectionist pressures rise, will it open soon enough?’

   Fast forward to last week, yet again a week before heading out to the Algonquin Highlands, and I’m spending a hot and humid Tuesday afternoon with veteran Toronto Star reporter, Rob Ferguson (also formerly of the Windsor Star) visiting the watering holes on Seminole.  ‘From boom town to gloom town’ reads the lede from his piece on how Trump’s tariffs are impacting the city. 

   The Globe and Mail spent the better part of last year focusing on the promising position Windsor had in relation to the rest of Canada. But as Ferguson now points out, after years of population growth fuelled by jobs in manufacturing and the promise of electric vehicles ‘the influx stalled when U.S. tariffs hit.’

   ‘The unemployment rate soared to the highest in Canada. Five thousand manufacturing positions were cut in the last five months, according to the local Chamber of Commerce. Roughly 16 per cent of jobs in the area are dependent on Canada-U.S. trade — double the national average. Home sales are down 6.3 per cent this year.’

   What’s more is the frustration knowing this is all due to one man.  In one year.  With three more to go.  It’s no wonder I’m heading back into the wild.