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Usual good vibes anticipated for Bridge Walk, despite NAFTA nastiness

‘Trade war, what’s it good for?’ says Sault, Ontario Chamber of Commerce CEO
2017 - 06 - 24 -   International Bridge Walk 2017 - Klassen-13
US Customs and Border Patrol officer Pat Wilson walked with his children Josh and Donna during the 31st International Bridge Walk and Bike Parade in June 2017. Photo by Jeff Klassen

As citizens from the Twin Soos look forward to the 32nd Annual Bridge Walk and Bicycle Parade on Saturday, one wonders if the currently strained relations between the Canadian and U.S. governments over NAFTA and tit-for-tat tariffs have stirred up bad feelings among residents on both sides of the St. Marys River.

Could that, along with President Donald Trump’s policy of separating illegal migrants from their children, which has sparked global outrage, angrily lead some Canadian bridge walkers to take a pass on this year’s Bridge Walk?

The answer seems to be ‘no.’    

“Most people I’ve spoken to, who do the walk event annually, look at it from the perspective that this is ‘one community, two cities,’” said Peter Petainen, International Bridge Administration (IBA) general manager, speaking to SooToday.

“The issues are for the governments to deal with and we’re just looking at this from a community perspective, because we’ve got friends and family members on both sides."

“Half my staff is Canadian, half my staff U.S., we work side by side at the office and we’re looking forward to the Bridge Walk as usual,” Petainen said.

“You’re going to have some people who are going to have the knee-jerk reaction, saying ‘no, I’m going to boycott that,’ but we really suggest boycotting is not the answer to anything,” said Rory Ring, Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) Chamber of Commerce CEO.

“From the local people on the street, we’re hearing solidarity, that we’re on the same page and we don’t want our U.S. brothers and sisters to be penalized by this type of trade policy and we use the line ‘trade war, what is good for?’ Absolutely nothing.”

“We believe our two communities are so closely tied together that we want to support each other in our efforts to make sure both our economies and communities are advanced,” Ring said.

“It’s a great event and we’re looking forward to a good turnout. We say ‘let the politicians work it out.’”

“We haven’t heard one comment about Americans not going to participate in the Bridge Walk (because of the trade war),” said Tony Haller, Sault Michigan Chamber of Commerce executive director.

“It’s not like it happens every day. The Bridge Walk is once a year and people are interested in the novelty of being able to walk across the International Bridge. There has not been one comment I’ve heard on our side from anyone saying ‘I’m not going to do that.’”

“We’re getting a lot of phone calls at our office, but they’re all about just the logistics of the walk, like what they need, what kind of passport, where can they get a bus...people are just interested in doing the walk and taking everything else with a grain of salt,” Haller said, adding he is looking forward to good weather and anticipating approximately 1,000 people will take part in the event.

The Canada-U.S. border is, after all, the longest undefended border in the world, between two countries who have an immense amount of things in common, whether they be economic, political (as democracies) and cultural, a partner in many alliances, and sharing a common language.

The International Bridge will close to vehicle traffic at 8:15 a.m. Saturday and will reopen at approximately 10:30 a.m. after walkers have been cleared by customs.

The Bicycle Parade will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Bridge Walk at 9:30 a.m. Both events depart the Norris Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

The International Bridge Administration strongly encourages walkers who need bus transportation to the U.S. before the start of the walk to catch the early buses. 

“Walkers who want to catch the bus should know they start loading the buses promptly at 7 a.m., so we’re strongly encouraging walkers to make sure they catch the earlier buses so they’re not feeling rushed,” Petainen said, adding other buses will be taking later arrivals over to Sault Michigan.     

In a news release issued Thursday, the IBA stated “there will be some significant changes this year for walkers wishing to return to the U.S. after completing the walk across the bridge. The first six buses will be loaded at Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on the Canadian plaza. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the buses are loaded, they will return to the U.S. Walkers who need a bus return to the U.S. after the first six buses are full will need to continue through CBSA to the Marconi Club to wait for the next available bus. Cost for the bus is $5 per individual and $15 for a family.”

Large strollers cannot be transported on buses. Only umbrella strollers will be allowed.

Busing passengers will be dropped off at the Norris Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

A hot breakfast will be available at the Norris Centre for $7 U.S., $9 Canadian before the walk.

“The IBA reminds motorists queuing up on the Canadian side waiting to cross the bridge when it reopens after the event that they will need to enter the Canadian Plaza from Carmen’s Way. The Huron Street entrance will be closed.”

People who may require rest facilities will need to go through CBSA to the Marconi Club. Public restrooms are not available for walkers on the plaza or on the buses, the IBA said.

In order to take part, Canadian and U.S. citizens and all others must comply with WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) regulations, and have one of the following pieces of identification with them during the walk: a valid passport, NEXUS card, enhanced driver’s license or INAC.

Participants 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and must have a copy of their birth certificate. It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure they have the required identification.

This year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will lead the International Bridge Walk. Any participants wishing to run or jog with the Torch Run are welcome to join. The walk is approximately 3 miles or 4.8 kilometres long and ends at The Marconi Club.

More information on the annual bridge walk can be found at the Sault Ontario Chamber of Commerce website on Facebook or the IBA website


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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