Canada announces new border security plan amid Trump’s tariff threats
The Canadian federal government has unveiled a new plan to bolster border security and strengthen the immigration system in response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 25-percent tariff on all Canadian imports unless Canada halts illegal immigration and the smuggling of fentanyl into US territory.
According to a press release from Public Safety Canada, the new plan includes five key pillars: detecting and disrupting the fentanyl trade, providing new tools for law enforcement, enhancing operational coordination, increasing information sharing, and minimizing unnecessary border volumes.
“It’s an important step to show Canadians and our American partners that we share their concern around border security and border integrity,” said Dominic LeBlanc, the finance minister, who added that he had had encouraging conversations with Trump’s incoming team.
In Monday’s fall economic statement, the federal government allocated 1.3 billion Canadian dollars (907 million US dollars) over six years to enhance US-Canada border security.
LeBlanc, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, was appointed as the new Finance Minister on Monday. After the swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, LeBlanc – a childhood friend of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – stated that his top priority would be lowering the cost of living for Canadians and strengthening ties with the United States.
The 57-year-old New Brunswick MP, first elected in 2000, is the son of former Governor-General Romeo LeBlanc.
US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose 25-percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico if these neighboring countries do not stop what he has called an “invasion” of undocumented migrants and drugs.
The announcement comes amid growing political unrest in Canada, as Prime Minister Trudeau faces fresh calls for resignation after Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s departure. A third of the ruling Liberal Party’s MPs have called for a change in leadership, further deepening the political crisis. Freeland’s resignation as Canada’s Finance Minister marked the first open dissent against Trudeau from within his cabinet, threatening his hold on power.
