Canada Proposes $913 Million for Border Security After Trump’s Tariff Threat

In reaction to U.S. tariff threats, the Canadian government released a C$1.3 billion proposal for border security. Canada intends to boost financing for its security forces in order to curb drug and migrant trafficking. The agenda also includes new legislative modifications to the Customs Act.

After U.S. President elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canada unless it stopped the flow of migrants and narcotics into the United States, the Canadian government on Monday requested C$1.3 billion ($913.05 million) for border security. The autumn economic statement often known as the mini budget which was released on Monday included the border financing plan. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian and Mexican exports to the United States.

According to the announcement, the funds would support the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Communications Security Establishment, the Canada Border Services Agency and Public Safety Canada.

According to the statement, the government planned to propose changes to the Customs Act that would give Canada Border Services more powers to examine export destined items.

In the 12 months ending in October, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested over 23,000 migrants close to the Canada-U.S. border more than twice as many as the previous year. That is still a small portion of the 1.5 million people who were arrested over that time at the U.S – Mexico border.

According to Canadian police during the past four years more cameras and sensors have been placed along this portion of the border. Ottawa has already committed to deploy extra personnel and technology targeting southern border crossers while Canadian law enforcement officials accept they are restricted in what they can do to halt southbound migrants.

Last Thursday the province of Alberta established a border patrol of its own but very few migrants have passed there.

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