Lawmakers from both sides of the Detroit River met in Windsor on Wednesday, as the broader relationship between Canada and the United States remains under strain. Michigan Democratic State Representatives Mike McFall and Amos O’Neal joined Ontario Liberal MPPs for a closed-door meeting with union representatives at Unifor Local 444’s Turner Road headquarters. The discussion focused on tariffs, Canada–U.S. trade, Great Lakes management, economic development, and the impact those issues are having on workers and businesses. McFall crossed the newly opened Gordie Howe International Bridge to attend the meeting, describing the relationship between Ontario and Michigan as one of mutual dependence. “Michigan needs Ontario, and Ontario needs Michigan,” he told CTV News. “We are very closely tied together. There’s a reason that we needed a second bridge.” While he acknowledged the relationship has been strained at the national level, McFall said ties between communities on both sides of the border remain strong. “I think it’s good to hear from people that are actually on the ground from both sides of the Detroit River so that we have a better understanding of each other and continue to build our relationships,” he said. Ajax MPP Rob Cerjanec, the Ontario Liberal critic for economic development and innovation, hosted the meeting. “I think we have to understand that we need to have conversations at all levels, whether it’s privately or publicly, because at the end of the day, both of our economies are very intertwined,” Cerjanec said. Cerjanec said he planned to take what he heard from union representatives back to Queen’s Park and continue advocating for Windsor-area workers and businesses. CTV News reached out to representatives from Unifor Local 444 for comment, but did not hear back by publication.
