Canadian border officials told MPs on Thursday that Canada is not a significant source of fentanyl heading to the United States.
Aaron McCrory, deputy chief of intelligence and enforcement at the Canada Border Services Agency, made the comment before a parliamentary committee examining the impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s border security and immigration plans.
CBSA Chief Erin O’Gorman also said the US Drug Enforcement Administration described the amount coming from Canada as a “financial slippage” — small amounts sent for personal use, mostly by mail.
Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless the two countries step up border security to reduce illicit fentanyl flows.
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During the presidential race, Trump also threatened to deport millions of undocumented people, raising concerns that it would lead to an influx of immigrants into Canada.
Ottawa is assembling new measures to bolster border security with more staff and equipment in the face of Trump’s tariff threats.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared his border plan with premiers during a meeting Wednesday evening, and Ottawa plans to add their suggestions to the package of measures coming soon.
Many media outlets reported that the cost of this could exceed one billion dollars, citing confidential sources.
RCMP Commissioner Michael Duhem said he was surprised to see that number making headlines, and that it was not clear whether Ottawa would actually do much to reinforce the border.
He said he plans to use any additional resources that come his way to have the RCMP rely more on modern technology to enforce the border between Canada and the United States.
An RCMP official said the police force currently has more than 900 drones and nine helicopters deployed across the country, with six helicopters occasionally providing border surveillance.
& Edition 2024 The Canadian Press
