The Government of Canada has announced expanded efforts to strengthen border security, building upon the $1.3 billion Border Plan introduced in December 2024. Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty outlined new initiatives aimed at combating transnational organized crime, curbing fentanyl trafficking, and enhancing surveillance capabilities along Canada’s borders.
These measures include the appointment of a Fentanyl Czar, a new Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force, the classification of organized crime cartels as terrorist entities, and an increase in intelligence-sharing and surveillance technologies.
New Measures to Combat Organized Crime and Fentanyl Trafficking
The Fentanyl Czar will act as a direct liaison with U.S. law enforcement agencies, improving operational collaboration in dismantling fentanyl production and distribution networks. The official will work to enhance law enforcement tools and intelligence-sharing mechanisms, ensuring that both countries can combat organized crime more effectively.
Canada is also moving to list organized crime cartels as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. This designation will provide the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with enhanced legal authority to investigate, prevent, and disrupt cartel-related activities impacting Canadian communities. The new classification will strengthen criminal investigations and allow for more effective prosecution of those involved in transnational crime networks.
Another major initiative is the launch of the Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force, which will coordinate law enforcement efforts to combat organized crime, fentanyl smuggling, and money laundering. This cross-border task force will bolster intelligence-sharing and facilitate joint operations between Canadian and U.S. authorities.
To reinforce these efforts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, allocating $200 million to Public Safety Canada and the Communications Security Establishment. These funds will expand Canada’s capacity to gather and share intelligence with U.S. partners and North American law enforcement agencies.
Enhanced Border Surveillance and Security Technology
Ensuring round-the-clock monitoring of Canada’s borders is a key component of the expanded security plan. The government is mobilizing law enforcement and civilian forces with new and modernized equipment, including:
- Black Hawk helicopters for aerial patrol and rapid-response operations.
- Drones and mobile surveillance towers to monitor remote border areas.
- Increased frontline personnel, with nearly 10,000 border security officers deployed.
- New canine units to enhance detection of illicit substances and contraband.
These additions will expand Canada’s ability to detect and prevent illicit border crossings, smuggling operations, and other transnational threats.
Impact on Immigration and Asylum System
Alongside heightened border security, Canada has introduced new measures to ensure the integrity of its immigration and asylum system. The 2024 budget allocated $743.5 million over five years to strengthen Canada’s asylum framework, increase processing capacity, and reduce immigration fraud.
Since June 2024, these measures have resulted in:
- An 89% drop in illegal crossings by foreign nationals from the U.S. into Canada.
- A 61% increase in refusals of visitor visa applications from high-risk countries.
- An 18% decrease in asylum claims from Canadian visa holders.
Canada and the U.S. continue to cooperate under the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), which was expanded in March 2023 to cover the entire Canada-U.S. land border, including internal waterways. This policy ensures that asylum seekers must make their claims in the first safe country they arrive in, helping to manage migration flows in an orderly manner.
New Counter-Narcotics Initiatives
The government is also taking steps to enhance drug enforcement efforts through Health Canada’s Canadian Drug Profiling Centre, which will increase forensic analysis capabilities for synthetic drug samples. This initiative will help identify where fentanyl and other synthetic drugs are being manufactured, allowing law enforcement to better target supply chains.
Additionally, the new Precursor Risk Management Unit will increase oversight over precursor chemicals used in illicit drug production and monitor emerging illegal drug trends.
Upcoming Border Security Enhancements
Looking ahead, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plans to launch its first preclearance operation in 2025, which will facilitate more efficient and secure movement of people and goods between Canada and America. Preclearance allows travelers to complete customs and security screening before reaching their destination, reducing congestion at border checkpoints and enhancing national security.
Canada-U.S. Border Remains Among the Most Secure in the World
Minister McGuinty reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to protecting its borders and strengthening security cooperation with the U.S., stating that these measures will ensure that Canada continues to have one of the most secure borders in the world.
“Canada and the United States share the most secure border in the world and we are committed to making it even stronger. The measures expand on Canada’s Border Plan and its unprecedented $1.3 billion dollar investment,” said The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety.