The federal government has laid out a new border security plan as Canada faces tariff threats from US President-elect Donald Trump.
In an announcement on Tuesday, Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who is also Canada’s newly appointed finance minister after Chrystia Freeland’s departure, said the new border plan is backed by an investment of $1.3 billion. That amount was announced in the federal Monday’s fall fiscal update.
“Our new border plan… will secure our border against the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration while ensuring the free flow of people and goods that are at the core of North America’s prosperity,” said LeBlanc.
LeBlanc added that the new plan is composed of “five pillars” that will detect and address fentanyl, add significant new tools for law enforcement, improve operation coordination and information sharing, and minimize border volumes to the US.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also posted about the measures on social media.
We’re stepping up to keep our border strong and secure:
By deploying new helicopters, drones, and surveillance tools.
By adding new scanners and sniffer dog teams to stop and seize fentanyl.
By cracking down on the money laundering that’s funding cross-border crime.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) December 17, 2024
“We’re stepping up to keep our border strong and secure: By deploying new helicopters, drones, and surveillance tools. By adding new scanners and sniffer dog teams to stop and seize fentanyl. By cracking down on the money laundering that’s funding cross-border crime,” he wrote on X.
The announcement comes after Trump said his incoming administration would implement a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods coming into the US if border security and drug issues were not addressed.
More to come…