Prime Minister Trudeau is considering spending hundreds of millions of dollars to secure the Canada-U.S. border in a bid to assuage President Donald Trump’s concerns and stave off his threat to impose 25% tariffs. Officials told Radio-Canada and CBC News.
Sources who spoke to Radio-Canada said the figure could exceed $1 billion. The plan has not yet been finalized and various scenarios will be presented to the federal cabinet soon.
“The work we’ve done on the border continues,” Treasury Board President Anita Anand said Monday morning at a news conference outside Ottawa. She said there will be “hundreds of millions of dollars in government efforts to secure our borders.”
of hill times It reported the $1 billion figure for the first time on Monday.
In recent days, Public Security Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced his intention to increase the number of border police officers and purchase additional equipment, including drones and helicopters, to strengthen patrols.
Radio-Canada reported last week that the RCMP is preparing to buy 17 new drones, with options to buy at least 14 more.
Two sources told Radio-Canada that Trump intends to announce a new border plan by Christmas, a few weeks before his inauguration on Jan. 20.
In an interview Sunday, President Trump reiterated his threat to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico unless the country curbs the flow of drugs and immigrants across the border.
“I’m a big believer in tariffs. I think tariffs are the most beautiful word…Tariffs will make us richer,” Trump said. in an interview on NBC meet the press It was broadcast on Sunday.
Two changes to immigration policy
A senior source said the Trudeau government also wants to use border funding to change immigration policy.
This strategy has two parts. One is to reduce frustration for U.S. customs agents, and the other is to prevent a potential increase in immigration from the U.S. if President Trump moves forward with his plan to deport millions of illegal immigrants. be.
Radio-Canada sources say Ottawa is considering closing loopholes in its safe third country agreement with the United States.
In his first television interview since winning the US presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his threat to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He also vowed to abolish automatic birthright citizenship, carry out mass deportations, and grant amnesty to those imprisoned for the January 6, 2021, attacks on Washington.
Currently, people who enter Canada illegally from the United States and spend 14 days in Canada without being detected have the right to apply for asylum.
Instead, Prime Minister Trudeau wants to give himself the power to send these people back to their countries of origin without allowing them to apply for asylum.
These immigrants still have ways to avoid deportation. If you believe you are at risk of torture or cruel treatment in your country of origin, you can apply for a pre-departure risk assessment.
Quebec is already calling for this loophole to be closed.
Crackdown on “flag-waving”
Additionally, the City of Ottawa is seeking to curb the practice of “flag polling,” which is a quick and easy way for student and work visa holders to renew their visas.
This practice involves leaving Canada by land without entering the United States, and then asking Canadian customs officials to renew your visa upon your return.
For permit holders, this tactic avoids the lengthy process of applying online or by form. But the practice has frustrated U.S. customs officials who must manage growing traffic.
To ease pressure on U.S. border officials, the Trudeau government wants to open counters near major Canadian centers so visa holders can apply for renewal directly without leaving the country.
It is not yet known which of the government’s proposals will require legal changes. It is also unclear whether the border plan will be the subject of a separate bill or included in the government’s autumn economic report, due next Monday.
