Canada has announced plans to introduce comprehensive new security measures at the US border, featuring enhanced surveillance and establishing a collaborative “strike force” to combat transnational organized crime.
The commitment comes in response to a warning from President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated that upon assuming office in January, he may implement a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless the nation effectively manages its border to curb the influx of irregular migrants and illegal drugs.
Experts warn that these tariffs may have a detrimental impact on Canada’s economy.
In a recent announcement, Canada’s minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs revealed that the federal government is set to allocate C$1.3 billion ($900 million; £700 million) towards the initiative.
On Tuesday, Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that the measures “will secure our border against the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration while ensuring the free flow of people and goods at the core of North America’s prosperity.”
The plan is structured around five key pillars aimed at addressing the fentanyl trade. These include strategies for disrupting the trade, introducing new tools for law enforcement, improving coordination with US law enforcement agencies, enhancing information sharing, and implementing measures to limit border traffic.
A proposed aerial surveillance task force has been put forward, featuring helicopters, drones, and mobile surveillance towers positioned between ports of entry.
The government is allocating funds to the Canada Border Service Agency for the training of new dog teams aimed at detecting illegal drugs, as well as for the acquisition of advanced detection tools at high-risk ports of entry.
LeBlanc elaborated on the proposed “joint strike force” to enhance collaboration between Canadian and US authorities. He outlined that the initiative would encompass “support in operational surges, dedicated synthetic drug units, expanded combined forces, special enforcement units, binational integrated enforcement teams, and new operational capacity and infrastructure.”
The recently unveiled plan seems to align with the issues that Trump has publicly raised in the past few weeks, particularly regarding the influx of fentanyl and undocumented immigrants entering the United States.
Data from the US Border Patrol indicates that crossings at the US-Canada border are markedly fewer compared to those at the southern border, as well as a decrease in the quantity of fentanyl confiscated.
Mexico is currently confronted with the possibility of a 25% tariff being imposed.
LeBlanc reported that he and other officials engaged in a “preliminary” discussion with Tom Homan, who is set to take on the role of Trump’s incoming “border tsar,” regarding the new plan.
“I feel encouraged by that conversation,” he stated.
LeBlanc attended a meeting last month involving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. This visit was reportedly aimed at preventing the imposition of the levy.
The announcement has been made on the inaugural day of LeBlanc’s tenure as Canada’s finance minister.
A swift transition took place on Monday as a close associate of Prime Minister Trudeau was sworn in following the unexpected resignation of Chrystia Freeland, who held the dual roles of finance minister and deputy prime minister.
Freeland resigned from her positions, delivering a pointed open letter to Trudeau detailing her differences regarding fiscal policies and what she believes is the most effective way forward for Canada.
The sudden departure from the cabinet intensified the challenges facing Trudeau’s fragile minority government.
During a speech delivered to party supporters at a Liberal holiday gathering on Tuesday, Prime Minister Trudeau expressed a resolute stance, acknowledging that politics is fraught with “always tough days and big challenges.”
“This team has earned its place in Canadian history, not by avoiding challenges, but by embracing them and putting in the necessary effort, regardless of the difficulty.”
