Federal authorities have released new information about their plan to bolster border security to stave off the U.S. tariffs threat, outlining measures that include deploying Blackhawk helicopters and 60 new drones.
Two Blackhawk helicopters have been leased from an aviation company in Ottawa, RCMP Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin said in a press conference on Parliament Hill on Jan. 15.
Larkin spoke alongside Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who provided an update on border and immigration measures.
Larkin said the Blackhawks will be joining a fleet of nine other helicopters already deployed across the country, with six of them doing proactive patrols. The original fleet is generally made by Airbus, said the deputy commissioner.
The RCMP plans to obtain an additional two helicopters on top of the Blackhawks, pending the acquisition process.
“There are procurement and mechanics to get those things moving forward, but we’re really pleased with the progress, and can confirm that two additional helicopters will be live on January 17,” Larkin said.
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The Blackhawk aircrafts, known for their use by the U.S. military, are manufactured by Sikorsky, a subsidiary of aerospace and defence giant Lockheed Martin.
Larkin said the Blackhawk model has the required capabilities for border surveillance and will provide the RCMP with “significant coast-to-coast coverage.”
The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for security at ports of entry, whereas the Mounties are responsible for securing the border between the ports.
An RCMP helicopter lands after flying over a protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates as demonstrators block the highway in Milk River, Alta., on Feb. 3, 2022. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
With the new helicopters, 60 new drones have been deployed on the border, along with additional mobile surveillance towers, security officials said.
“These will help us to further enhance our border surveillance and our intelligence operations, again with our American partners,” McGuinty said.
The measures are part of a $1.3 billion border plan announced by Ottawa last month. The measures were launched in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump saying he would impose a broad 25 percent tariff on Canada if the issues of illegal migration and drug smuggling at the border are not addressed.
Trump will be inaugurated on Jan. 20 and said he would impose the tariffs as soon as he takes office. He has campaigned on closing the southern U.S. border to stop what he calls an “invasion” and has promised the largest deportation operation of illegal immigrants in U.S. history.
The issues at the Canadian border are small in comparison to the Mexican border, but have nonetheless remained an issue for the United States. Foreign nationals have exploited the Canadian visa system to then cross illegally into the United States, according to Canadian authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it has also encountered more illegal migrants on a terrorist watchlist crossing from Canada than from Mexico.
Minister Miller noted during the press conference there’s been a drop in the abuse of temporary residency permits since his department began cracking down last year. Ottawa also recently put measures to end the practice of “flagpoling,” which allowed those with an expiring visa to cross in and out of the country and receive immediate immigration services.
“Ending this practice will allow border officers to fully concentrate on border enforcement, saving 8,000 days of work for border agents,” McGuinty said.
Along with the federal plan, provinces like Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have also taken their own measures to boost border security.
Tariff retaliation planning is also underway, with the provincial and territorial premiers visiting Ottawa on Jan. 15 to discuss with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau how to respond economically if Trump follows through on his threats.
