Canada Border Services Implements Sweeping New Rules

VORNews– The Government of Canada has announced plans to introduce comprehensive new security measures at the US border. These measures will feature enhanced surveillance capabilities and the establishment of a collaborative “strike force” to combat transnational organized crime.

The recent pledge comes in response to a warning issued by President-elect Donald Trump, who has indicated plans to implement a 25% tariff on Canadian goods upon his inauguration in January. This measure is contingent upon Canada taking action to secure its shared border against the influx of irregular migrants and illegal drugs.

Experts warn that these tariffs may have a significant negative impact on Canada’s economy.

In a recent announcement, Canada’s minister of finance and intergovernmental affairs revealed that the federal government is set to allocate C$1.3 billion to the initiative.

On Tuesday, Minister Dominic LeBlanc stated that the measures “will secure our border against the flow of illegal drugs and irregular migration while ensuring the free flow of people and goods that are at the core of North America’s prosperity.”

The plan is structured around five key pillars aimed at addressing the fentanyl trade. These include strategies for disrupting the trade, introducing new tools for law enforcement, enhancing coordination with US authorities, increasing information sharing, and limiting border traffic.

A proposed aerial surveillance task force featuring helicopters, drones, and mobile surveillance towers positioned between ports of entry has been introduced.

Training for new sniffer dog teams

The government has allocated funds to the Canada Border Service Agency for the training of new dog teams aimed at detecting illegal drugs, as well as for the acquisition of new detection tools for high-risk ports of entry.

LeBlanc elaborated on the proposed “joint strike force” to enhance collaboration between Canadian and US authorities. He outlined that the initiative would encompass “support in operational surges, dedicated synthetic drug units, expanded combined forces, special enforcement units, binational integrated enforcement teams, and new operational capacity and infrastructure.”

The newly unveiled plan seems to align with the issues that Trump has brought to light in recent weeks, specifically regarding the influx of fentanyl and undocumented immigrants entering the United States.

US Border Patrol data reveals that crossings at the US-Canada border are markedly fewer compared to those at the southern border. Additionally, the quantity of fentanyl confiscated in this region is also notably reduced.

Mexico is currently confronted with the possibility of a 25% tariff being imposed.

LeBlanc reported that he and other officials engaged in a “preliminary” discussion about the new plan with Tom Homan, who is set to become Trump’s incoming “border tsar. ”

“That conversation has left me feeling encouraged,” he stated.

LeBlanc attended a meeting last month involving Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago, a visit that was reportedly aimed at preventing the imposition of the levy.

The announcement was made on the inaugural day of LeBlanc’s tenure as Canada’s finance minister.

Freeland’s unexpected resignation

A long-time ally of Prime Minister Trudeau was swiftly sworn in on Monday following Chrystia Freeland’s unexpected resignation as finance minister and deputy prime minister.

Freeland has resigned from her position, delivering a sharp open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau. In her correspondence, she detailed her disagreements with him regarding fiscal policies and the most effective direction for Canada’s future.

The sudden departure from the cabinet intensified the challenges facing Trudeau’s fragile minority government.

During a speech delivered on Tuesday at a Liberal holiday gathering, Prime Minister Trudeau addressed party supporters with a resolute message, acknowledging that politics is often marked by “always tough days and big challenges.”

“This team has achieved the distinction of holding the record for the longest minority in Canadian history, a testament to their commitment to facing challenges head-on and putting in the necessary effort, regardless of the difficulty.”

Canada Border Services Agency Jacks Fees

Meanwhile, foreigners who refuse or cannot pay their own way home after being denied a stay in Canada will face harsher financial penalties if they ever try to return.

According to CTV News, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials, the fee framework has been updated for the first time since 1993 and will take effect in April.

Visitors deemed inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act must still pay their own departure travel costs, but the Canadian government will continue to intervene and cover the costs to ensure prompt deportation.

The reimbursement for travel costs will increase significantly this spring, regardless of the departee’s destination. Previously, inadmissible foreign nationals were required to pay approximately $1,500 upon their subsequent attempt to return to Canada. That fee will soon rise to slightly more than $3,800 for those leaving the country unaccompanied, and slightly more than $12,800 for those escorted by Canadian officials.

The CBSA states that the costs of removing an inadmissible person may include purchasing airline tickets, conducting removal interviews, obtaining travel documents, making removal arrangements, case management, partnership, and liaison work.

“This update in cost recovery for the removal of inadmissible foreign nationals brought forward by the CBSA builds on our plan to strengthen border security and our immigration system,” Minister of Public Safety David J. McGuinty said in a Friday statement.

“In recent months, we reinstated a visa requirement for Mexican visitors, aligned service hours between Canada and the United States at many ports of entry, and ended flagpoling for work and study permits at the border, preventing 70,000 non-residents from entering the United States. For decades, the security partnership between Canada and the United States has kept people safe on both sides of the border, and we will continue to look for ways to strengthen it.

Every year, the CBSA claims to recover nearly $500,000 in removal costs from foreign nationals who apply to return. Over the first ten months of 2024, Canada deported more than 14,000 inadmissible foreign nationals.