Ottawa has added 60 new drones at the Canada-U.S. border and the RCMP will deploy two new helicopters this week as officials move to ratchet up security.
Federal ministers and security officials trotted out details of the new border measures Wednesday 91裸聊视频� part of the Trudeau government efforts to show it91裸聊视频檚 serious about beefing up border protection just days before U.S. president-elect Donald Trump91裸聊视频檚 inauguration.
The Liberal government pledged $1.3 billion in border upgrades in December, after Trump threatened to impose steep tariffs unless Canada and Mexico clamped down on the flow of migrants and illegal drugs.
Those border concerns have largely been replaced by complaints about Canada91裸聊视频檚 trade deficit with the U.S. in Trump91裸聊视频檚 most recent threats to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian imports on his first day in office.
At a news conference Wednesday, federal officials promoted Canada91裸聊视频檚 efforts to bolster border security, played down the notion of any serious problems and stressed the need to shun unhelpful drama while staying focused on results.
As part of the blueprint unfurled last month, the RCMP plans to set up an aerial intelligence task force for round-the-clock surveillance of Canada91裸聊视频檚 border, using helicopters, drones and surveillance towers.
Canada will also propose to the United States the creation of a North American 91裸聊视频渏oint strike force91裸聊视频� to target organized crime groups that work across borders.
In addition, the government is providing new technology, tools and resources to the Canada Border Services Agency to watch out for fentanyl shipments using chemical detection, artificial intelligence and canine teams.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said during the news conference Wednesday that 91裸聊视频渢he northern border represents a very small fraction of seized fentanyl.91裸聊视频�
The government says that between 2018 and 2024, Canadian law enforcement disrupted and dismantled 44 lab sites tied to illicit fentanyl.
91裸聊视频淒espite evidence of domestic production occurring in Canada, there is little to no evidence from either Canadian or U.S. law enforcement that Canadian-produced fentanyl is an increasing threat to the United States,91裸聊视频� says a December briefing note prepared for McGuinty.
The government also points to a reduction in the number of illicit border crossings from Canada to the U.S., a crackdown on visa fraud and increased removals of failed refugee claimants.
Canada must avoid dramatic comments and stay focused on implementing changes and managing its relationship with Washington, McGuinty said.
91裸聊视频淟ife is about relationship management, isn91裸聊视频檛 it? And Canada91裸聊视频檚 number one relationship, in my view, is the United States,91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e interested in making progress and showing the newly elected American government that we91裸聊视频檙e serious about our border relationship, that it91裸聊视频檚 integrated, that we do it together.91裸聊视频�
Officials say they are preparing for a possible surge in migrants heading to Canada in response to the incoming U.S. administration91裸聊视频檚 threat of mass deportations.
91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 know yet how quickly the new administration wants to proceed on that front,91裸聊视频� McGuinty said. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e watching it carefully, watching the numbers carefully.91裸聊视频�
RCMP deputy commissioner Bryan Larkin said the Mounties have been working with the border services agency, the provinces and territories to ensure swift action in the event of a crisis at the border.
91裸聊视频淎nd so the RCMP is heavily focused on, how do we do that?91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲hat91裸聊视频檚 our operational planning? How do we move resources, and how do we support our colleagues at (the Canada Border Services Agency) and other police services?91裸聊视频�
