The federal government has laid out a five-pronged approach to strengthen border security, but it does not include details on where or how the $1.3 billion in funding planned for the fall economic statement will be allocated. .
The announcement came after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada unless Canada stems the flow of illegal drugs and immigrants across their shared border.
Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs (who will also hold the public safety portfolio on an interim basis until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reshuffles his cabinet), Mark Miller, Minister of Immigration, Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, and Yaara Sachs, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. The Minister of Health and Welfare announced this. Tuesday.
In its Fall Economic Statement on Monday, the federal government announced a six-year, $1.3 billion border security package, with the funds going to several agencies and organizations, including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP. It is being developed, but the details have not been disclosed. plan.
LeBlanc, however, insisted that plans to strengthen border security have been in the works for months and are not an attempt to appease President Trump in order to avoid tariffs.
The five pillars of the new plan include detecting and interfering with fentanyl trafficking, new tools for law enforcement, increased operational coordination, enhanced information sharing, and minimizing unnecessary border traffic.
The federal government has proposed measures such as new AI and imaging tools to help detect illegal drugs and the deployment of new canine teams.
Plans were also outlined for a new air task force consisting of helicopters, drones and surveillance towers to provide 24/7 surveillance between ports of entry, as well as expand the intelligence gathering capabilities of specific agencies and target money laundering. Promise measures.
The federal government also plans to streamline information sharing between Canada and the United States, and between law enforcement agencies and various levels of government.
Canada’s Prime Minister is also considering the issue.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who chairs the Canadian Council of Prime Ministers, said provincial and territorial leaders believe that securing borders and increasing defense spending are two ways to “make a deal with the United States.” He said they are united.
“When it comes to NATO, it’s been clear that all the prime ministers think we should hit 2% (of GDP on defense spending). So we’re all in agreement,” Ford said earlier this month. spoke. “We all agree that we need to strengthen our borders.”
But Alberta Premier Daniel Smith has launched a series of border security measures, including spending $29 million to create a team of specially trained security officers tasked with guarding the Alberta-U.S. border.
Quebec Premier François Legault, whose border crossings have the highest number of illegal immigrants in the country, met with President Trump in Paris earlier this month to coincide with the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.
Mr. Legault later said that President Trump “made it very clear that if we do what we need to do on the border issue, we can avoid tariffs.”
The National Police Federation welcomed news of the additional funding in a statement on Tuesday, although the exact details of the plan are still unclear.
“The National Police Federation has long advocated for increased funding for the RCMP’s federal policing programs, including border security, and today’s We welcome the investment commitment.”
Meanwhile, the federal Conservatives argue that the Liberals should have presented a border plan sooner, saying that even though President Trump is set to return to the Oval Office in just 40 days, the government is “cutting Canadian jobs.” “We have yet to present a Canada First plan to protect and keep us safe.” It’s our border. ”
The House of Commons adjourned for recess on Tuesday, but the Conservatives said parliamentary committees would hold hearings during the recess, with some ministers, border officials, law enforcement, Canada’s ambassador to the United States and other officials. They are requesting their testimony.
But Conservative Leader Pierre Poièvre, asked at a news conference Tuesday how much he intends to spend on the border, declined to say whether it would be more or less than the $1.3 billion the Liberals are allocating.
“You shouldn’t judge a program by how much it costs,” Poièvre said. “It should be based on how many helicopters we have, how many drones we have, how many boots we have on the ground, what we can do.”
“That’s the question I’ll ask when I become prime minister,” he added. “And how do we get it to taxpayers at the lowest possible price?”
Poilievre did not elaborate on the specific human and equipment resources that would be dedicated to border security.
With files from CTV News’ Judy Trinh, Rachel Aiello and Stephanie Ha
