ambassador bridge privatization proposal

BNP Resources are actively involved in lobbying the Government of Canada (GOC) to purchase the Ambassador Bridge from the USA based owners. 

Having worked in the USA for many years, I understand the US legal system and the impact of legal challenges, which can delay project funding and schedules. There is risk, when a subsidized government project, competes against a privately owned US corporation. Corporate funding and schedules, can be impacted, due to legal challenges. One solution, is to purchase the competing Ambassador Bridge, thereby guaranteeing full legal and regulatory approval, without any further legal challenges from the existing operator. 

 1. Upon completion of the Gordie Howe Bridge, both operators (Gordie Howe and Ambassador Bridges) will be required to compete for business, following both US and Canadian laws. US law allows the owners of the Ambassador Bridge to sue the GOC in US courts, for equal subsidies, provided to the operator, of the competing Canadian bridge.  Our internal estimate for subsidies is $60 - $100 million US per year. The court case would take 5 years, and result in an initial award of $300 - $500 million US, against the GOC, plus the cost of the annual subsidy, payable to the foreign owners of the Ambassador Bridge. This forms part of the reasons, and cost savings, for the recommended purchase of the Ambassador Bridge. Using a subsidy estimate of $100 million US per year, the bridge purchase, pays out within 35 years. Acquiring the Ambassador Bridge also acquires the “Motown Trade Corridor”, at no additional cost. 

2. The owners of the Ambassador Bridge are working on plans to build a second span (Ambassador II), at an additional cost of $500 million to $1 Billion, using the existing infrastructure. The impact of this project, would be to increase the value of the “Motown Trade Corridor” by $1 Billion, which would increase the future purchase price.

3. We have carried out customer opinion surveys with the local Sandwich residents. They are of the opinion, and support the concept, that truck traffic will be moved to the Gordie Howe Bridge, with vehicular traffic using the Ambassador Bridge. Unfortunately US law does not allow for this, unless the GOC is the owner of both bridges. The residents will not be pleased to see the continuation of truck traffic, after the construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge is completed.

4. The Ambassador Bridge USA based owners may offer better rates (sale prices) for truckers and cars, keeping most of the cross border traffic. This could result in no reduction in traffic levels, for local residents. 

5. Naming rights for the Ambassador Bridge would be in the hands of the GOC. For example, using a sponsor such as Apple, the bridge could be renamed the “Apple iBridge”, and carry advertising for Apple Products. Another potential advertiser, would be Michelin, with the name of the bridge becoming the “Michelin Tire Bridge”. Sponsorship fees could generate $5-$10 million per year. Other alternatives include naming the Ambassador Bridge after Henri Richard, which would yield one English and one French bridge, making the “Motown Trade Corridor”, truly a bilingual trade corridor. Queen of Country singer, "Shania Twain" (Eilleen Regina Edwards) was born in Windsor, Ontario, which could see the bridge named the "Shania Twain Country Music Bridge". 

6. CBC Article: Why economists say it's a bad idea to rely on a privately owned bridge for 25% of Canada's trade with U.S. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/ambassador-bridge-protests-trade-us-canada-border-cargo-trucks-convoy-1.6355981

 Author - Yvette Brend · CBC News 

Our goal is to direct the truck traffic through the new Howe Bridge, while keeping vehicular traffic on the existing Ambassador Bridge. In order to execute this plan, in accordance with US and Canadian law, both bridges must be owned by the Government of Canada. This will allow for more predictable customs staffing, by routing trucks on the "New Bridge", and cars on the "Old Bridge".

We recognize that the Historic Sandwich neighborhood is very important to the long term residents of Windsor. Our recommendation is to not only purchase the Ambassador Bridge, but also the surplus lands, intended for the construction of the Ambassador II Bridge. We would recommend that this be developed by Canada Lands, in a similar way, that the Currie Barracks land package, was redeveloped in Calgary. We recommend a Shania Twain museum, to promote this local celebrity and country music in general. This will add value to the community, and additional tax revenue to the City of Windsor. New families will move back into this lovely neighborhood.