The Canadian government has announced a new plan to enhance border security with the United States, aimed at reducing drug and weapons smuggling and illegal immigration. Finance and Government Affairs Minister Dominique LeBlanc revealed on Tuesday the details of a multi-faceted plan valued at $1.3 billion, which will be implemented over the next six years.

This move comes in light of the threat from the elected President Donald Trump to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless Canada takes effective measures to address these issues.

Executive Director of the Canada Border Institute, Marta Liardi-Anderson, stated to CTV News that the increased focus on "criminal elements" is a "good start" for improving border security. She said, "Any step the government takes to curb illegal movements is a positive step, especially since it has been affecting our communities for a long time."

Plan Components:

The plan consists of five main components:

1. Detecting and disrupting fentanyl trafficking.

2. Providing new tools for security forces.

3. Enhancing operational coordination among different agencies.

4. Increasing intelligence sharing.

5. Reducing unnecessary border congestion.

The proposed measures include using artificial intelligence tools and imaging technologies, alongside enhancing police dog teams and expanding the use of helicopters and drones. Additionally, between 100 to 150 extra personnel will be deployed to work at the border within the ranks of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Enhancing Cooperation:

Liardi-Anderson emphasized that the Canada-U.S. border, which is the longest unarmed border in the world, already uses advanced technologies, but she stressed the importance of cooperation between the two countries for success. She said, "Any action we take on the Canadian side must be coordinated with the American side because the border consists of an exit and an entry."

She added that coordination is essential to avoid any further disruptions to the movement of goods and people, calling for programs that facilitate legitimate crossing, such as technology-supported fast lanes like facial recognition.

Potential Tariffs:

These moves come amid pressure from the Trump administration, which demands that Canada take serious steps to prevent the flow of drugs and illegal immigration into the United States, threatening to impose tariffs that could significantly impact the Canadian economy.

Although the plan is still in its early stages, the Canadian government hopes that these efforts will help protect border security and achieve a balance between preventing illegal activities and facilitating legitimate trade and travel between the two countries.