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 seven teams of sheriffs, and include 10 cold-weather surveillance drones with dedicated pilots, four drug patrol dogs and four narcotics analyzers.
Smith added that Alberta will create two-kilometre-deep border zone, 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’s goal is to have the IPT operating by early 2025.
This is a developing story, with more to come. The previous story on Alberta’s border security plan is below.
The Alberta government will announce its plans to increase security along the border with the United States today.
Premier Danielle Smith will be joined by Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis at 9:30 a.m. to announce the new measures.
- WATCH LIVE ABOVE
The announcement comes 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.
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.
WATCH: ‘Diplomacy’ a better option than retaliatory tariffs, says premier
Canada ‘can’t weather’ a trade war the way the U.S. can, says Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Smith joins Power & Politics from Las Vegas, where she’s making her ‘Team Canada’ pitch to western governors.
“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.