The federal government says it will release details later today on how it intends to spend $1.3 billion to secure the Canada-U.S. border, allaying President-elect Donald Trump’s concerns. .
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who said he would continue to hold the portfolio for several more days after being sworn in as finance minister on Monday, told CBC New Brunswick, “I have more to say on Tuesday about strengthening border security.” Deaf,” he said. ”
Monday’s fall economic statement, largely overshadowed by Chrystia Freeland’s surprise Cabinet resignation, included a border security package worth more than $1 billion over six years, but without specifics. No details were mentioned.
The urgent need to strengthen border security comes in the wake of President Trump’s threat to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian imports, citing concerns about border security, immigration, and illegal drugs, especially fentanyl. are. Tariffs at that level could be devastating to Canada’s economy.
The fall economic statement suggests the government is willing to spend more on the Canada Border Services Agency, RCMP, Public Safety Canada and communications security facilities.
The government has signaled it will buy helicopters and drones and commit more resources to better monitor shared borders.
Last week, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duhem said he was looking forward to the technology that Mounties could start using immediately.
Freeland, who has served as finance minister since 2020, said in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on social media that after being approached by the prime minister about the move on Friday, it was her only “honest and “A possible path forward is to leave the cabinet,” he said. to another ministerial role.
Special Issue: Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigns from cabinet hours before Autumn Economic Statement. Can Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political career survive the blow, and what will the opposition bring next?
Freeland, who led Canada’s trade team in Trump’s first administration, wrote that he was at odds with the prime minister over the best path forward for Canada in the face of Trump’s tariff threats.
“We need to take that threat very seriously, and that means not running out of fiscal fire today and securing reserves that may be needed for the coming tariff war.” Freeland wrote.
“We don’t have that luxury, and that means avoiding expensive political maneuvering that would make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of this moment.”
Trump joined the conversation late Monday, criticizing Freeland on his site Truth Social.
“Her actions were completely harmful and in no way conducive to a beneficial transaction for very unfortunate Canadians. She will not be missed!!!”
