Ottawa Reaffirms the Original Agreement
The Canadian government will not share toll revenue from the new Gordie Howe International Bridge with the United States until it has fully recovered the $4.7 billion invested in building the project. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement, rejecting claims that Ottawa had agreed to significant concessions in favor of President Donald Trump's administration.
The bridge, linking Windsor, Ontario, with Detroit, Michigan, is scheduled to open on July 27 after several delays and is expected to become one of the most important transportation corridors for trade between Canada and the United States.
Carney Rejects Claims of Concessions to Trump
Last week, President Donald Trump said he had secured "a much better deal" for the United States ahead of the bridge's opening, prompting criticism from Canada's opposition, which accused the government of backing down during negotiations with Washington.
Carney, however, stressed that the original 2012 agreement with the State of Michigan remains unchanged. Under that agreement, Canada is entitled to collect all toll revenue until it has fully recovered the cost of constructing the bridge.
Only after that investment has been repaid will revenue-sharing with the United States begin.
Toll Revenue Will Be Shared Only After the Debt Is Repaid
The prime minister explained that any revenue-sharing arrangement will take effect only after Canada has recovered its initial investment.
Once that happens, Canada and the United States will divide the bridge's net revenues for the first fifteen years, but only after all operating expenses—including maintenance, security, and snow removal—have been covered.
Carney also noted that net profits are expected to remain modest during the bridge's early years, meaning the financial impact of future revenue-sharing will likely be limited.
Details of the Agreement Remain Confidential
The full agreement between Ottawa and Washington has not been made public.
According to Reuters sources, the United States would receive 50% of the bridge's net toll profits once Canada's investment has been repaid. The same sources also said Washington would have the authority to veto toll increases exceeding 10% above current rates.
The Canadian government has not confirmed those reported details.
The Bridge Becomes a New Political Battleground
The opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge comes as Canada and the United States continue negotiating an updated bilateral trade framework.
The crossing is expected to strengthen one of North America's busiest commercial corridors, through which a substantial share of manufacturing trade between the two countries flows.
As a result, every aspect of the bridge's financial management has become politically significant on both sides of the border.
Fresh Tensions Over Wildfires
The dispute between Ottawa and Washington has also expanded to Canada's handling of ongoing wildfires.
Several Republican lawmakers from Michigan accused the Canadian government of underinvesting in forest management and wildfire prevention after smoke from large fires spread across several U.S. states.
Carney rejected those accusations, arguing that combating climate change requires a collective international effort and calling on the United States to do more to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to rising global temperatures.
Analysts See a Diplomatic Win for Canada
Several analysts believe the final arrangement ultimately favors Ottawa.
Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University, argues that Canada will recover most of its investment before any revenue is shared, leaving relatively little profit to divide with the United States.
Canada's Conservative opposition, however, continues to demand the publication of the complete agreement, insisting that Canadians deserve full transparency regarding the commitments made by their government in negotiations with Washington.