The federal government has announced that former RCMP deputy commissioner and national security adviser to the prime minister Kevin Brosseau will serve as the new fentanyl czar, a position that was created as part of a deal to stave off U.S. tariffs.
Assistant RCMP Commissioner Kevin Brosseau (L) takes part in a press conference with RCMP’s Deputy Commissioner for Aboriginal Policing Janice Armstrong and Superintendent Tyler Bates in Winnipeg on May 16, 2014. The Canadian Press/John Woods
“With an over 20-year career in public safety and national security including tackling drug trafficking and organized crime, Mr. Brosseau will bring tremendous value to this position, and his work will help keep Canadians safe,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement on Feb. 11.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said in his position as the fentanyl czar, Brosseau will coordinate between multiple agencies to “move quickly to tackle the challenges.”
“Working closely with our American counterparts to disrupt and dismantle this illegal drug trade crossing our border, the Fentanyl Czar will need expertise in drug trafficking, organized crime networks, and other national security threats. Kevin Brosseau is that person,” McGuinty said in a statement.
The prime minister’s office says that Brosseau brings “extensive law enforcement experience” as he served with the RCMP for over 20 years, was a commanding officer in Manitoba, and has served as deputy national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister since October 2024.
“His demonstrated expertise tackling drug trafficking, organized crime networks, and other national security threats will bring tremendous value to this position,” the government said.
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Brosseau held senior roles in the RCMP in his final years with the force, including as a commanding officer and later as deputy commissioner. After leaving the RCMP in 2019, he worked as a senior public servant in different government departments, including as assistant deputy minister in Transport Canada, associate deputy minister in Fisheries and Oceans, and most recently as deputy national security and intelligence adviser to the prime minister.
Trudeau agreed to appoint a fentanyl czar when speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 3, a day before Washington was set to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports and 10 percent tariffs on energy products. During the phone call, Trudeau also committed to listing Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, and a $200 million intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, on top of an existing $1.3 billion commitment for border security.
Trump ultimately agreed to pause the tariffs until March 4 while Canada and the United States work out an “economic deal.” The United States similarly agreed to a pause on 25 percent tariffs on Mexico after President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to send 10,000 troops to the border to stop the flow of fentanyl.
On Feb. 10, Trump signed an executive order authorizing 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, including from Canada. They are set to take effect on March 12.
The new U.S. administration has made stopping the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into the United States a national security priority, and threatened the tariffs against Canada and Mexico on those grounds. The Prime Minister’s Office has repeatedly made the point that less than 1 percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border originated from Canada, but acknowledged on Feb. 11 that “any amount of fentanyl is too much.”
Ottawa also announced a $1.3 billion border plan back in December 2024, which includes the creation of a new North American Joint Strike Force to target transnational organized crime; new funding for helicopters, drones, and surveillance towers; and the usage of new artificial intelligence and imaging tools at the border.
