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U.S. ambassador denies donations delayed Gordie Howe Bridge opening
🇨🇦 Canada /Elections & Politics

U.S. ambassador denies donations delayed Gordie Howe Bridge opening

From Global News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra denied that donations from the Ambassador Bridge family influenced the delayed opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.
  • Hoekstra stated the delay was a mutual agreement between the U.S. and Canadian governments due to "technical aspects."
  • He also asserted that American revenue will significantly contribute to repaying the bridge's financing, despite Canada covering the initial cost.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra has firmly denied allegations that donations from the family owning the Ambassador Bridge are behind the delayed opening of the new Gordie Howe Bridge. "Absolutely not," Hoekstra stated when questioned about a $1 million donation from billionaire Matthew Moroun, whose family operates the competing Ambassador Bridge, to a Trump super PAC.

Absolutely not.

— Pete HoekstraDenying that donations from the Ambassador Bridge family are tied to the delayed opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.

Hoekstra clarified that the bridge's opening was postponed by mutual agreement between the Canadian and U.S. governments to address "technical aspects." He emphasized that the delay has "nothing to do with the Morouns," dismissing any connection to the donations made by the family, which included over $35,000 to Hoekstra during his final year in Congress.

The bridge was not open when it was announced a couple of weeks ago by mutual agreement of the Canadian government and the U.S. government. It has nothing to do with the Morouns.

— Pete HoekstraExplaining the reasons for the delayed opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge.

Regarding the financing of the Gordie Howe Bridge, Hoekstra asserted that Americans are contributing significantly more than half the revenue needed to repay its costs. He pointed out that this revenue stems from the Ambassador Bridge, which is "100 percent an American-owned company," despite Canada having funded the entire construction of the new crossing.

The Morouns operate a significant business in the United States, and in the United States, companies involved in those kinds of businesses donate to all kinds of campaigns. I know that they donate to Republicans and Democrats.

— Pete HoekstraAddressing donations made by the Moroun family to political campaigns.

While expressing optimism about reaching an agreement on the bridge soon, Hoekstra's outlook is less certain regarding the ongoing Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) trade negotiations. He indicated that while some progress has been made, it has not been substantial enough to provide a clear path forward for finalizing the details of the trade deal.

Americans are contributing significantly more than half of the revenue that will pay back however Canada financed this.

— Pete HoekstraAsserting the significant financial contribution from American revenue to repay the Gordie Howe Bridge's costs.
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Originally published by Global News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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