By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-19 15:36:53 | Updated at 2024-12-19 19:25:49
4 hours ago
Liberal Justin Trudeau has suddenly launched a Trump-style crackdown on immigration as the Canadian government crumbles around him.
Canada's newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced on Tuesday that the $1.3bn CAD ($930m USD) slate of new measures 'will secure our border against the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration.'
The new measures will include 24/7 surveillance of the border using 'helicopters, drones and mobile surveillance towers', and upgraded detection tools to catch drugs slipping over the border.
The legislation is based on five pillars: Slowing the trade of fentanyl, improving border patrols' coordination, providing new tools for law enforcement, easing information sharing among departments and slowing migrant crossings, reports TNC.
Trudeau was previously famed for his progressive policies and urged migrants to flock to Canada - but has changed his tune in recent weeks as his polls tank.
It comes weeks after Trump threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada, citing Trudeau's struggles in ensuring border security.
The five pillars appear to attempt to directly address the president-elect's concerns, as Trump has cited high illegal migration at the border and the flow of fentanyl as particular points of interest.
In his press conference Tuesday announcing the 'strike force', Leblanc said the actions are intended to 'detect and address fentanyl and its precursors.'
'Our investments will enable the Canada Border Service Agency to deploy new chemical detection, imaging and artificial intelligence-powered tools as well as new K-9 teams to better detect illegal drugs at ports of entry,' he said.
Justin Trudeau 's government introduced a $1.3 billion border security bill on Tuesday in a desperate attempt to combat Donald Trump 's tariff threat
Trump threatened Canada and Mexico with a 25 percent tariff if they do not curb illegal immigration and the flow of drugs across the borders to the US
The move comes days after rumors swirled that Trudeau would resign as his liberal government crumbled around him, including LeBlanc's predecessor Chrystia Freeland, who also served as deputy prime minister, quitting the party.
Freeland quit on Monday after clashing with Trudeau on issues including how to handle possible U.S. tariffs, in what was a huge blow to an already unpopular government.
Trudeau also made a public trip down to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month, which only worsened the crisis as Trump went on to mock his counterpart and imply that he would make Canada a US state.
With Trudeau currently on track to lose the next election to the Conservatives and their leader Pierre Poilievre, his party attempted to make inroads this week with their border bill.
LeBlanc said the wave of measures would include investments into the RCMP's 'new aerial intelligence task force.'
The task force will 'provide round-the-clock surveillance of ports of entry and complement existing foot and vehicle patrols', including the deployment of helicopters and drones.
Lawmakers also plan to expand the powers of border patrol officers, allowing them to inspect exports in the same way they inspect imports.
Hoping to open up communication with Americans south of their border, the Canadian official said he was proposing 'the creation of a new North American joint strike force to target transnational organized crime.'
Newly appointed Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced on Tuesday that the slate of new measures 'will secure our border against the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration'
It comes after Trudeau also made a public trip down to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate earlier this month, which only worsened the crisis as Trump went on to mock his counterpart and imply that he would make Canada a US state
Canada has seen a 130 percent spike in asylum seekers this year, prompting Trudeau's government to finally take action
LeBlanc's remarks were followed by Immigration Minister Marc Miller's proposal to end 'flagpoling', a practice where people briefly enter the US from Canada to take advantage of lax immigration laws.
The practice sees people cross into the US without intending to spend any time there, only to gain access to faster visa processing times than if they came straight into Canada.
'Flagpoling uses up valuable resources at both sides of the border,' Miller said Tuesday.
'When this change comes into effect, temporary residents already in Canada will have to apply online to extend their stay and flagpoling will no longer be an option.'
TNC reported that lawmakers struggled to provide a timeline for when the new measures would be implemented.
And when asked how many helicopters would be available, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme responded: 'I can’t just buy a helicopter but there are processes where you can rent a helicopter and we’re exploring every facet that we can.'
