Windsor-West MP Brian Masse is taking a "wait and see" approach when it comes to the Moroun family's apparent change of heart towards a new Windsor-Detroit bridge.
Manuel Moroun and his company CenTra Inc. control the Ambassador Bridge. They have also been vocal opponents to the federal government's new Gordie Howe International Bridge. But in an email from Matthew Moroun (Manuel's son) to the Toronto Star, he says the family is open to talks with Canada's new Liberal government.
Masse finds it strange that Moroun contacted a Toronto media outlet first, instead of the local or federal levels of government.
"Words are fine, I welcome them," explains Masse. "But at the same time, actions are much more significant. They can declare all they want. If they don't do things, then that makes [the words] really worthless."
Masse acknowledges the Morouns' relationship with the Harper government was rocky, and knows the family and the Liberals have a history.
"There has been a strong relationship of them hiring former Liberals, whether provincially or federally. So that seems to be a bit of the partisanship involved here," says Masse.
The MP is not aware of any contact between CenTra Inc. and the feds, but is awaiting the Morouns to make the next move.
"Whether they're going to be dropping lawsuits, whether they're going to be improving the properties around the Ambassador Bridge, and whether they're going to become a regular partner with the community to make it a better place," Masse says.
The new Gordie Howe International Bridge is expected to complete construction by 2020.