The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Ontario to Michigan will open July 27, the federal government has confirmed.
A planned ribbon-cutting ceremony last month was delayed as the Trump administration looked to renegotiate a long-standing agreement between Canada and the U.S.
“After years of planning, partnership and construction, the Gordie Howe International Bridge will soon be opening — providing a new connection for the region, while strengthening one of the world’s most important trade corridors,” Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson said in a news release Friday.
The news release said Canada and Michigan agreed to open the bridge with the support of the United States Government.
It said Canada and the U.S. agreed to a series of measures on toll governance, “as well as investments in the region, including through the establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a portion of profits from bridge operations.”
“The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will also work collaboratively with the Government of the United States on toll-rate adjustments, seeking concurrence for certain non-market-related toll changes,” the release said.
A source with knowledge of negotiations, who was not authorized to speak publicly about them, said that under the deal, Canada gets 50 per cent of the toll profits — after operational expenses — and the other half will go to a U.S-run regional development project for a 15-year time frame.
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The agreement also requires the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to consult the U.S. on any toll changes greater than 10 per cent, the source said, or if it’s looking to lower tolls below those of comparable regional averages.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, when asked if he’d be open to renegotiate the terms to open the bridge, said Thursday that “I think we’re willing to clarify aspects of the current arrangements.”
No further details about the deal were provided by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday but in an emailed statement she said “the Gordie Howe International Bridge has always been a great deal for our state.”
Whitmer said thousands of Michigan workers helped build the bridge, adding it “will speed up auto production, lower costs, ease traffic, strengthen agriculture, and give people on both sides of the border better-paying jobs and brighter futures.”
“I’m proud to have fought for its opening and congratulate my partners who have worked on this issue alongside me for years,” Whitmer said.
Invitations had already been sent out for a ribbon-cutting event that was set to take place June 12 to celebrate the opening of the $6.4-billion bridge connecting Windsor and Detroit, but a White House source told The Canadian Press that Lutnick intervened.
The administration official said that while Whitmer spoke with the White House about the bridge, the governor was not given a green light for it to open.
The interim chief executive of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority said at the time that Canada and the U.S. agreed to delay the opening as the two countries attempt to “resolve any outstanding issues.” Carney later said it was at the request of the United States.
Ottawa signed the 2012 bridge deal with former governor Rick Snyder, a Republican. Canada agreed to shoulder the cost of construction and to recoup its investment through tolls, after which the money would be split with the state.
The bridge’s ownership is shared between Michigan and the Government of Canada.
Trump himself endorsed the bridge project during his first term.
But the Gordie Howe bridge project has long faced heavy pushback from members of the billionaire Moroun family, who are longtime Republican donors and owners of the competing Ambassador Bridge.
The New York Times reported that Matthew Moroun met with Lutnick just before U.S. President Donald Trump issued a social media post in February threatening to block the bridge’s opening if the United States wasn’t compensated.
House Democrats earlier this year launched an investigation into whether the Morouns took action to obstruct the bridge’s opening.
The probe calls for Lutnick and Moroun to hand over documents related to their meeting and other communications with the White House about the bridge, among other things.
Lutnick and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra were leading negotiations around the bridge following the abrupt delay in June.
In the weeks since, Hoekstra has made numerous comments to Canadian media claiming that the idea that Canada paid for the bridge is a myth. He has also said blocking the bridge is not linked to the Moroun family, claiming there are legitimate issues.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2026.
Trump’s gonna take a dump down every liberal politicians throat
That’s mayo on my mouth, honest
@ Jasmin, I agree with your comment an agreement was signed and should be honoured especially because it was Snyder who came over and pitched the idea to Canada because the U.S. couldn’t afford to pay for their part in the bridge. Carney should not have caved, keep it closed. As, for you Americans commenting, you are in no way superior as you may think, don’t come to Canada we don’t need you or want you here. As for your products being cheaper, your wrong, I was over in states a couple years ago, your prices were just as high or higher on products, add in tolls , gas, exchange rate and not worth buying. Quality of your products is not all that great either. Have not been back to States since and won’t be again in my lifetime. You are superior in the U.S, in one aspect mass shootings on a regular basis.
liberals buckle under to trump yet again, this is not a good ideal
I’m afraid Mr carney is catching the TACO flue
Elbows down.
Carney has stated publicly he agreed with Freeland when she froze bank accounts during the Ottawa protests. This act was later ruled illegal by the Federal Court and then confirmed again on appeal.
Ben
July 11, 2026 at 8:47 pm
@Jim Respectfully, blocking an international border and occupying/tooting horns 24/7 in Ottawa was criminal. The EA was overreach, but the illegal insurrection in Ottawa, funded by the US far right, was a threat that had to be dealt with. Trudeau IMHO should have brought the army in to take the trucks out. Laws are not meant to be broken when one disagrees with them.
Like hell it was Ben! It was a legal, peaceful protest! TRUDEAU TURNED IT INTO A D*MNED CIRCUS BECAIUSE HE IS A COWARD! So to anyone who follows these Liberal f*scist p*gs! You can ignore me all you want Ben, but I will always call your horsesh*t out!
The Federal Court has ruled that twice now that the Trudeau/Carney Govt was unreasonable and unjustified when they invoked the Emergencies Act for the protest in Ottawa.
ICE is doing exactly what Americans have wanted down at the border with Mexico. The crackdown was totally needed as the situation was out of control.
@Jim Respectfully, blocking an international border and occupying/tooting horns 24/7 in Ottawa was criminal. The EA was overreach, but the illegal insurrection in Ottawa, funded by the US far right, was a threat that had to be dealt with. Trudeau IMHO should have brought the army in to take the trucks out. Laws are not meant to be broken when one disagrees with them.
Ben….You are spending to much time on CBC. ICE goes after criminals and those that are in the USA illegally. Also, I guess you forgot what the Canadian Govt did when they called an Illegal EA and froze peoples bank accounts and broke the charter rights of millions of citizens.
It’s really unfortunate that so many posters can’t make a point without resorting to calling other posters names.
@Dino I’m glad you are doing well in the US. I’ll stay in Canada in ICE uniforms where masked men can’t make me disappear and where media which speaks up isn’t crushed by a totalitarian state.
So Canada got shafted again and you liberal lapdogs think Carney is doing a great job!
Maybe is better if he takes a other trip to somewhere!
If Canadians want a bridge to access the USA they should pay for it. Canadians are not entitled to enter the USA unless approved by the American Government
The bridge is mainly for Canadians. Most Americans don’t want to travel to Canada,, so really the bridge is for goods to Canada or Canadian visitors to the USA.
Hilarious how yanks here think anyone other than trump is caving.
Just vlike on the strait of hormuz.
Maria is a troll and a stupid one at that.
Ben…Elbows Up Csrney folded like a cheap suit again. Seems he doesn’t understand how to negotiate unless you mean he caved to USA demands.
@Ben. Lee is correct, it is certainly better in the USA. I moved my business and home from Burlington to Atlanta in 2017. My business has now expanded 10X which would not have been possible in Canada. I would think Canada would be better for those that live hand to mouth or live on social assistance. I don’t have that issue.
After the bridge is paid off, then the profits are shared. A reasonable agreement allowing the bridge to open. Carney is a great negotiator!
Yet again Carney caves. His “Elbows Up” facade is a total joke. All bark and no bite.
Trump is taking Carney to the cleaners.
Carney tried to rip off Americans and charge a higher toll for them. Yet again, Canada is in the wrong.
Some facts:
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority built the bridge.
Canada did most of the financing with future tolls to pay back the loan.
Conflicts arouse when Canada wanted to charge higher tolls on Americans vs Canadians which resulted in the USA not opening the bridge until the toll issue was resolved.
Canada finally relented and will charge equal tolls on the USA and Canada.
caved to the orange turd
@Lee Williamson. Canada scores much higher on world freedom and democracy indices than the US. We have a lower infant mortality and higher life expectancy. Not sure what measures you are using to state US is “better in every way.”
No, Try this, we share the profit after recovering the expense. Because thats normal on a bridge that has a toll that goes through two countries.
Quit being stupid on the internet.
Snakes do not have legs.
Canadians grapes are totally sour about America. America is a superior country in every way.
So we build the bridge, pay for the construction, then have to give them 1/2 of the tolls for 15 years. Way to stand up to Trump… I wonder what else Carnival Carney is giving away… I see lots of Global news announcements of all the deals being made. But the figures of how much is being given away to natives, foreign countries, foreign businesses is not being published.
never quite understood how an international, or any bridge could be privately owned
such a piece of vital infrastructure in the public domain and for the public good should always be shielded from private interests.
So I guess we foot the bill and the Americans are going to take our profits. Bunch of bullies and they wonder why no body likes them?
Who negotiated for Canada to pay for the damn bridge in the first place? How ridiculous! When are we going to stand up. Why would we build a bridge under those conditions to begin with? No one with have a brain would agree to those terms.
Lol what joke American useless comments from the start. Especially when they say they don’t need canada. Guess what without our potash, every American farmer could not grow crops. That’s right Americans need canadians afterall
I heard Elbows Up Carneys trade MOU with UAE is a total nothing burger. Typical as he has no results shown.
Carney turned out to be an inept PM and negotiater. He has got almost nothing accomplished in over a year.
Every time a toilet is flushed in Canada, a little republican is born in the United States of North Korea.
Canada owns America always has always will.
America the only country with no wins in the war column.
What a joke country full of clowns and bottom feeders.
What’s next – American wine and spirits back in Canadian stores?
It’s effing embarrassing…
Carney was right about the old way. “Trust is to be earned, not given freely to strangers.”
Who are these neighbours?
Ray, yer a genius.
So if Canada gets shafted this way, imagine what goes on when the US makes any kind of agreements with other countries
Everyone is lying, hoekestra the ,governor, Kearney this turned into a boon for the US in and a huge hit for Canada. No idea why the !d!ot agreed to a massive 50% of toll revenue off the bat when it was supposed to have been 30 to 50 years from now. Unbelievable extortion at its finest with the blessing of the dear failed banker Kearney. since when havetaxpayer projects become. Better to not discuss to the public? So typical to want to hide government ineptness
( since the beginning )
> a mirror image – of the Straight of Hormuz .
If the US gets 50% of the tolls then they should reinverse Canada for 50% of the cost to build it.
The maximum age for this comment section must be 10 years old. Reading these childish comments.
Hello, American trollbots…please stay in your own country. We hear that your wine and spirits industry is crying for Canada to start selling American swill again. That’s not happening so we suggest you do your part to support American booze and drink yourselves into oblivion so you don’t see how bad your country has become.
Why are you Americans badmouthing Canada
We are the only friends you have in this world!
My basic question is: Was a formal agreement signed between the Canadian and U.S. authorities for the construction and operation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge?
If an agreement was signed, both sides should respect and comply with its terms and conditions.
Canada should not accept an unfair last-minute deal simply to open the bridge. It would be better to delay the opening, if necessary, than to agree to conditions that could negatively affect Canada permanently.
For Americans, Canada is a cold, irrelevant country that isn’t fun to visit. Plus everything is expensive (taxes) and the people are rude and bad mouth Americans as their grapes are sour.
I live about 45 min from the BC/Canadian. There isn’t anything I need from Canada, plus everything is more expensive there. We have equivalent if not better quality products at a cheaper price.
Who needs who more? Canada need to get serious and deal with Trump. Carney made promises and hasn’t delivered on anything. If Canada wants to “stick it to Trump” more power to you but your economy will suffer which isn’t our problem.
Boycott Canadian products
Charge all American vehicles double for its use
I certainly hope Carney didn’t give away anything to get this bridge opened.
Trump should put a $50 per person entry free on Canadians everytime they cross into the USA. Most American don’t want Canadians in our country and want to discourage them to visit even more.
Chicken dance Carney let his elbows down and gave half of bridge revenue to Americans
What a deal
All Americans should boycott Canada. Let’s see them cry the blues.
David R – sounds very much like Marlaina Kolodnicki and Scootch Moe do and what Paperboy Pete would also do if given half a chance. Nothing at all to see here.
The bridge is mainly for Canadian Use. Most Americans have no need or desire to go to Canada.
The Americans are not entitled to anything until they pay their share of the cost. That’s the deal. Nothing because Trump is crying….
Just kidding! Show me the money.
Lethbridge Liberace is gonna ride across for the grand opening. Nothing strikes fear in hearts of Americans like PP on a horse looking FAAAAAABULOUS!!!!!!!!
Why is the cost to Canada now showing $4.4B. when last article showed $6.B amount paid by Canada?
No ‘international border’ should be in private hands. The fact that one has been for this long underlines what is wrong with the US. They privatize what should be public ownership and they use public funds to bail private failures based upon greed…
Maybe journalistic standards could use Canadian English spelling instead of U.S. English?
On va voir