The federal government has laid out a five-pillared approach to boosting border security, though it doesn’t include specifics about where and how the $1.3-billion funding package earmarked in the fall economic statement will be allocated.
The announcement comes after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports unless Canada halts the flow of illegal drugs and migrants over the shared border.
“It’s an important step to show Canadians and our American partners that we share their concern around border security and border integrity,” said Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc — who is temporarily also maintaining the public safety portfolio until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffles his cabinet — when asked whether he believes the new measures will be enough to satisfy Trump.
“We have taken note of president(-elect) Trump’s comments,” LeBlanc also said, adding he’s had “encouraging” conversations with Trump’s incoming team, and he’s “optimistic.”
He would not say, however, whether he’s received assurances from the incoming administration that Canada can escape the tariffs, regardless of what the federal government puts on the table.
LeBlanc announced the new border measures alongside Immigration Minister Marc Miller, International Trade Minister Mary Ng, and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks on Tuesday.
The federal government allocated $1.3 billion over the course of six years for a border-security program in Monday’s autumn economic statement. The funds will be distributed to a variety of agencies and organizations, such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the RCMP, without disclosing the specifics of the plan.
LeBlanc, on the other hand, has maintained that the border’s reinforcement plans have been in progress for months and are not an attempt to placate Trump in order to evade the tariffs.
Detecting and disrupting the fentanyl trade, enhancing operational coordination, increasing information sharing, minimizing superfluous border volumes, and providing law enforcement with new tools are the five pillars of the new plan.
Within those, the federal government is proposing the deployment of new canine teams and the development of new AI and imaging tools to assist in the detection of illicit substances.
Plans for a new aerial task force, which will consist of helicopters, drones, and surveillance platforms, are also delineated. This force will provide continuous surveillance between ports of entry, as well as expand the intelligence collection capacity of specific agencies and implement measures to combat money laundering.
Additionally, the federal government intends to optimize information exchange between Canada and the United States, as well as between various levels of government and law enforcement.
LeBlanc also stated that there will be an increase in the number of human resources at the frontier, with the objective of recruiting approximately 100-150 individuals, divided between the RCMP and CBSA, in the near future.
Meanwhile, the union that represents front-line customs and immigration officers at the CBSA has expressed apprehension regarding understaffing, asserting that it would require an additional 2,000 to 3,000 officers to perform their duties efficiently.
LeBlanc has refuted this assertion, asserting earlier this month that the senior administrators who oversee the CBSA hold a distinct position.
The issue has also been addressed by the premiers of Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who serves as the chair of the Council of the Federation of Canada’s premiers, has declared that provincial and territorial leaders are in agreement that the two most effective strategies for “negotiating a deal with the United States” are border security and increased defense expenditure.
“It was evident that all premiers are of the opinion that we should achieve our two percent of GDP defense spending goal in relation to NATO.” Ford stated earlier this month, “Therefore, we are all in agreement.” “We are all in agreement that the borders must be tightened.”
Nevertheless, Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta has implemented a series of border-security measures, such as the allocation of $29 million to establish a team of sheriffs who have received specialized training and are responsible for the surveillance of the Alberta-U.S. border.
During the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris earlier this month, Quebec Premier François Legault, whose province’s frontier experiences the highest number of illicit incursions in the country, engaged in a conversation with Trump.
Legault subsequently stated that Trump informed him “very clearly” that the tariffs could be avoided if the necessary measures were taken to secure the borders.
Despite the fact that the precise details of the plan are still unclear, the National Police Federation expressed its enthusiasm for the news of additional funding in a statement on Tuesday.
NPF President and CEO Brian Sauvé stated, “The National Police Federation has long advocated for increased funding for the RCMP’s federal policing program, which includes border security. We are pleased to see today’s commitment to such an investment.”
The Liberals, on the other hand, are criticized by federal Conservatives for failing to present a border plan sooner. They assert that the government has yet to present a Canada First plan to secure our border and save Canadian employment, despite the fact that Trump is set to return to the Oval Office in just 40 days.
Conservatives are advocating for a parliamentary committee to conduct hearings during the holiday break, despite the fact that the House of Commons adjourned on Tuesday. They are seeking testimony from specific ministers, border and law enforcement officials, Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., and other officials.
However, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre declined to disclose the amount of money he would allocate for the frontier during a press conference on Tuesday, whether it would exceed or fall short of the $1.3 billion that the Liberals have allocated.
Poilievre stated, “We should not evaluate a program on the basis of its cost.” “We should evaluate it based on its capabilities: the number of helicopters, drones, and ground troops.”
“That is the question I will be asking when I am prime minister,” he continued. “And how can we ensure that taxpayers receive it at the lowest possible cost?”
Poilievre did not provide any specific information regarding the personnel and equipment resources that he would allocate to the frontier.
Also See: Albertans can brace for tax hikes, some cuts in 2025
