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Alberta introduced plans to create a new unit in an attempt to bolster security at its section of Canada’s border with the U.S.
Premier Danielle Smith announced on Thursday that the province will invest $29 million to create the Interdiction Patrol Team, under the command of the Alberta Sheriffs. The unit will be made up of 51 uniformed officers, 10 support staff including dispatchers and analysts, four drug patrol dogs,10 surveillance drones operable in cold weather and high winds, and four narcotics analyzers.
The IPT will be set up to intercept illegal attempts to cross the border, or bring drugs or firearms across the 298-kilometre international boundary with the U.S.
Smith added that Alberta will create a border zone at least two kilometres deep, where sheriffs will be able to arrest people found to be attempting to cross the border illegally or trafficking illegal drugs or weapons, without needing a warrant. The province said the border zone will be created by amending regulations under Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defence Act.
“Together with federal law enforcement, we’ll ensure that our section of the American border is well-protected,” Smith said. “We’ll deny safe haven to criminals looking to operate in both countries, and if we succeed and maintain proper border security, I expect we’ll have a very strong relationship with the United States as we always have.”
The province’s goal is to have the IPT operating by early 2025.
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The announcement came under the threat of substantial tariffs on Canadian goods from the incoming U.S. administration.
President-elect Donald Trump has said that on his first day back in office, he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico unless both countries stop what he called an “invasion” of drugs, “in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens” into the U.S.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met virtually with Canada’s premiers Wednesday for the second time to discuss relations with the U.S. as Canada prepares for Trump’s return to the White House.
While the flow of migrants and illegal drugs over the northern border is a fraction of what crosses over from Mexico, Trump is still concerned about what’s coming from Canada.
Alberta Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said on Thursday there was strong agreement about Alberta’s plan to patrol the border with the RCMP’s federal police and Canada Border Services Agency when the province met with these groups on Wednesday.
Ellis added part of the IPT’s focus will include commercial vehicle inspection stations on main highways, and near border entry points. The unit will also provide coverage to major provincial highways and known interprovincial travel routes, Ellis said.
“While we work with our federal and international partners to address this issue, we will not sit idly by and wait for a solution to be handed to us,” Ellis said.
Smith told CBC’s Power & Politics host David Cochrane on Tuesday she’s been advocating for Canada to avoid Trump’s proposed steep tariffs in her meetings with U.S. officials, namely on oil and gas imports from Alberta.
“If we end up having a 25 per cent tariff on our oil and gas, it’s just going to lead to higher gasoline and energy prices for American citizens. And that’s something that they’re taking note of,” Smith said.
Asked about Trump’s pick for homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, the premier noted she had a chance to speak with Noem about border security.
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“The issues we’ve got to deal with in Western Canada involve fentanyl and criminal activity happening across the border. And so I indicated to her that we’re working on a border strategy with our Montana counterparts to make sure that we’re at least shoring up this part of the border,” Smith said.
She said diplomacy is the best way to avoid Trump’s proposed tariffs. She added she would like to see Trudeau and federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc lead the effort on border security with the U.S. so that all provinces are on the same page and doing the same things to take Trump’s concerns seriously.
Source: cbc
