Michigan's governor has reflected on how the state's relationship with Canada strengthened through his term in office.
Governor Rick Snyder, who is leaving office at the end of December, spoke about that relationship on Friday when he came to Windsor and joined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in officially kicking off the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge on the Canadian side of the river.
The governor told the crowd gathered that if it wasn't for Canada, the Gordie Howe Bridge might not be built.
"You're providing the capital for this project. You came to our aid at a time when we didn't have the resources to do a project like this," said Snyder. "You stepped up. You stayed your commitment. And on behalf of all of the people of the state of Michigan, thank you."
The price tag for building the bridge is $5.8 billion, which is funded in a public-private partnership. Michigan will repay the money to Canada through tolls charged on the bridge when it is scheduled to open in the fall of 2024.
Snyder said a new international crossing had always been a priority of his administration.
"I go back almost eight years ago, to January 2011 and my first State of the State Address," said Snyder. "I remember standing in front of the Michigan legislature and the people of Michigan and saying 'Let's build this bridge'. It's eight years later, and it's time to build this bridge."
The process was not always an easy one, with discussions between the Canadian and U.S. governments on where the bridge would be built, by whom it would be built, and who would pay for it. A lawsuit by Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun threatened to stop the project, and Michigan voters rejected a Moroun-spearheaded statewide ballot issue in 2012. It would have required Michiganders to vote on whether they would pay for an international crossing of any sort.
The governor said that despite it all, it was Michigan's relationship with Ontario and Canada as a whole that persevered. In his remarks, he acknowledged the tension between the neighbours over a plan by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, but he asked Canadians to be patient while Americans worked through what he believed is an exercise to improve civility among themselves.
With the eldest son of Gordie Howe sitting nearby, Snyder said he is confident the new bridge will live up to its namesake, a legendary hockey player with the Detroit Red Wings who was beloved on both sides of the border.
"Let's keep in mind that this is a friendship of many, many years," said Snyder. "And what representation than the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Gordie Howe stood for strength, tenacity and endurance."
Snyder is term-limited and will be succeeded on January 1 by either his Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette; or the Democratic candidate, former Michigan Senate minority leader Gretchen Whitmer.