Canada sending Black Hawks, drones to border as the clock to pacify Trump ticks down
Public safety minister 'hopeful' new U.S. administration will recognize Canada's commitment to border security
With U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration just days away, the federal government announced it is sending a slew of drones and two leased Black Hawk helicopters to the shared border to begin beefed-up patrols.
It's an 11th-hour move to placate the new administration.
"We are hopeful — and remain hopeful — that the new incoming administration will understand just how incredibly serious we are on this northern border," said Public Safety Minister David McGuinty during a news conference Wednesday.
Ottawa introduced $1.3 billion in spending in December's fall economic statement aimed at disrupting the flow of fentanyl and strengthening 24/7 surveillance of the Canada-U.S. border.
The drive to bolster border security follows Trump's threat to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods, which he says is needed in response to concerns about border security, migrants and illegal drugs, especially fentanyl.
McGuinty, flanked by the head of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and a senior RCMP official, said Wednesday the government has already deployed 60 new drones and is setting up surveillance towers near the 8,891-kilometre border.
Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin said the RCMP leased two Black Hawks from an aviation company, and they will be in use starting Friday for enhanced surveillance.
The Black Hawk helicopter was initially designed in the 1970s for the U.S. army to transport personnel in and out of combat zones quickly,
Larkin said it was the model that was available to lease and suits "the capacity and the capabilities that we require."
The government is also acquiring new technology, such as X-rays and hand-held chemical analyzers to curb drug smuggling, said McGuinty. He added that the amount of fentanyl seized by the U.S. at its northern border represents a small fraction from what's observed at the southern border.
"We have an obligation to be relentless in pursuing our relationship with the United States, and, from time to time, in debunking information which is not accurate," he said.
Some Canadian officials worried Trump's mind is set
The news conference and itemized shopping haul comes as fears intensify that Trump's tariff threat will become a reality for Canada.
In November, Trump threatened to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, starting on Jan. 20 — his inauguration day — unless the countries curb the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders.
Just after Christmas, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc flew to Florida to brief the presidential transition team on the government's plan for improving border security and to make the case that Trump's threat of steep tariffs on all Canadian exports to the U.S. would damage both countries' economies.
However, officials around Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are increasingly worried that the U.S. president-elect's mind is made up, and he will make good on his threat.
Handling the border and dealing with Trump's threats are being discussed as the premiers gather in Ottawa to meet with Trudeau.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, chair of the Council of the Federation, has praised the government's border plan as "phenomenal," but said it's now on the minister "to get out there and explain that to the people."
"We're not interested in drama," McGuinty said Wednesday. "We're interested in making progress and showing the newly elected American government that we're serious about our border relationship."
With Parliament prorogued following Trudeau's decision to step down last week, once his successor is chosen, House of Commons work has been paused.
McGuinty said he's been assured the government has existing resources to implement the border plan.
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With files from Katie Simpson