TORONTO — Yesterday, the Ontario government passed the Keeping Ontario Open for Business Act, 2022, which will protect international border crossings from unlawful obstructions that disrupt the economy or interfere with public safety.

The legislation enables law enforcement to better protect international borders, international airports and other transportation infrastructure that is significant to international trade and shield the economy from future disruptions like the illegal blockade of Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge, which led to temporary factory closures, shift reductions and halted billions of dollars worth of trade.

“The passage of this legislation shows the world that Ontario is open for business and will stay open for business,” said Premier Doug Ford. “International trade is a vital lifeline for our economy which is why we took action to protect our borders from future illegal disruptions so people can keep working, goods can keep moving and businesses can keep producing.”

The legislation also provides police officers with additional enforcement tools to impose roadside suspension of drivers’ licences and vehicle permits, seize licence plates when a vehicle is used in an illegal blockade and remove and store objects making up an illegal blockade.

“Safe and open international border crossings tie Ontario to the world and support hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of trade every day,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “This new legislation gives Ontario the tools we need to protect the livelihoods of workers, manufacturers and job creators across Ontario’s growing economy from any future attempts to block our borders.”

The legislation comes into force today.