Dan Stamper, president of Detroit International Bridge Co., which owns the Ambassador Bridge that already provides a link between Detroit and Windsor, had a different take.
"If Canada's putting in the money up front, and wants to get it back in tolls later, you can bet that the employment is going to come from Canada to build this bridge," he said.
Canadian officials have refused to give the owners permission to expand the existing bridge, saying they want to avoid more traffic to downtown Windsor.
Lawmakers face a June 1 deadline to approve bills allowing Michigan to join the project, which is opposed by Ambassador Bridge owners.
A House committee approved the measures Thursday, but they're likely to be changed before the full House votes. Some Republicans favor expanding the Ambassador Bridge instead, which could make it hard for the bills to pass the GOP-led Senate.
