OTTAWA — Amidst Canada’s ongoing border dispute with the incoming president of the United States, Canada’s public safety minister says the RCMP have done a fine job at protecting the country’s borders.
Recommended Videos
Speaking to reporters ahead of question period on Monday, Dominic LeBlanc was asked why the government won’t expand the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to patrol between ports of entry — a task currently entrusted to the RCMP.
“Because the RCMP have done a good job in that regard,” LeBlanc said.
“The RCMP are our national police force, they have partnerships with the FBI and other partner police forces, but we’re always looking at ideas. We’ve taken note of that suggestion, I’ve discussed that with the commissioner of the RCMP, we haven’t made any decision in that regard.”
During a Sunday morning press conference, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre pleaded with the government to table a “Canada-first” plan to fix the borders, including increasing patrols, enlisting the help of provincial police services, taking advantage of new technology, and expanding the mandate of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA.)
“We also propose deputizing provincial law enforcement, whose Premiers wish to fill-in the holes that the Trudeau government has caused,” Poilievre said on Sunday.
“I’m embarrassed that we even have to suggest this, but it would be a temporary measure to patch-up the holes that Trudeau has opened.”
While LeBlanc said expanding the mandate of the CBSA was a “good idea,” it probably won’t be foremost on the government’s mind.
“We’re not dismissing this one, but it’s not a priority for us in terms of arriving at the conclusion we want.”
It’s been a week since President-Elect Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Canada and Mexico if either nation didn’t tighten their borders by the time he’s sworn in as president, citing illicit drugs and illegal immigrants flooding into the U.S. from Canada.
LeBlanc was among those who accompanied Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on an unannounced trip to dine with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, a meeting where Trump’s concerns with the Canada/US border were discussed.
In the wake of that meeting, Canada has promised to deploy more personnel — as well as helicopters and drones — to better protect the Canada-U.S. border.
“The RCMP have been working with the CBSA and others on a list of technology and equipment that would supplement the equipment and technologies they already have,” LeBlanc said.
During question period, NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice accused Trudeau of coming home from Mar-a-Lago “empty handed” — aside from scoring a decent photo-op.
“People are worried about their jobs, they don’t have any idea whether they’ll be able to pay for their rent or groceries, and Donald Trump’s tariffs will make that worse, and make the prices of everything higher,” he said in French.
“At the very least, was he clear with the future American president that attacking Canadian and Quebec workers was unacceptable?”
In response, LeBlanc said the discussion was a positive one.
“We spoke about our border security, of course,” he responded in French.
“I believe we will be able to continue working with President-Elect Trump.”
[email protected]
X: @bryanpassifiume