Canada has agreed to give the United States half of the net revenue generated by the Gordie Howe International Bridge during its first 15 years of operation, according to a newly released agreement between the two countries that has already sparked political criticism north of the border.

The agreement, made public Wednesday, provides that Canada will split 50% of the bridge’s net revenue with an economic development fund that is “established and solely controlled” by the U.S. government during the bridge’s first 15 years in service, CBC reported.

Under the terms of the deal, net revenue consists of all tolls and other income collected from the Detroit-to-Windsor bridge after deducting operating expenses.

The wording of the agreement appears to conflict with earlier statements made by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who had previously indicated that Canada would not begin sharing money until it had fully repaid the debt incurred to construct the bridge.

Carney later explained that the agreement concerns net revenue rather than net profits. Opposition lawmakers, however, argued that his clarification only created additional confusion and pressed the government to release the complete agreement.

Canada paid the full $4.7 billion cost of building the international crossing.

Under the original agreement negotiated more than a decade ago, Canada and the state of Michigan were expected to divide toll revenue only after construction costs had been recovered, a benchmark that was projected to take many years to reach.

Canadian officials have insisted that the original agreement remains in force.

The newly published document does not specify which expenses qualify as operating costs, nor does it mention repayment of Canada’s construction debt before revenue sharing begins.

The Trump administration has maintained that the revenue-sharing arrangement would take effect before Canada finishes paying the bridge’s principal and interest obligations.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Carney on Wednesday, accusing the prime minister of contradicting his earlier promise that Canada would first repay the debt before sharing any bridge revenue with the United States.

The agreement also states that both governments will jointly establish the goals of the economic development fund, which “will be for the benefit of the United States and trade between Canada and the United States.”

In addition, the document says officials from both countries will work together to complete the legal, financial, and administrative framework necessary to implement the agreement “as expeditiously as possible.”

The deal follows months of uncertainty surrounding the bridge after President Donald Trump warned earlier this year that he could prevent the crossing from opening unless Canada accepted a series of concessions, despite Canada’s financing of both the bridge and the surrounding infrastructure.

At the same time, Canadian officials announced they are canceling a joint U.S.-Canada ceremony that had been scheduled for Friday to celebrate the bridge’s opening. The decision came after Trump imposed a 50% tariff earlier this week on certain Canadian imports, including dairy products and alcoholic beverages.

“In light of trade action threatened by the United States earlier this week, it would be inappropriate to proceed with a celebratory event between the two countries,” Jenna Ghassabeh, a spokesperson for Canadian Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, said in a statement.

Instead, Canada plans to hold its own opening ceremony on Friday, ahead of the bridge’s official opening on July 27.

Trump announced the latest tariffs on Monday, with administration officials saying the measures would affect a wide range of Canadian products, “from wine to hockey sticks to cement.”

The White House said the tariffs were imposed in response to what it described as “discriminatory” Canadian trade policies.

Ghassabeh emphasized that Canada remains committed to opening the bridge on schedule on July 27, “and to celebrating this milestone among Canadians on July 24th.”

It remains unclear whether U.S. officials intend to hold a separate opening ceremony of their own.

{Matzav.com}