Canada is mulling giving more power to patrol border, though not a priority: minister

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says his department is considering giving additional powers to the Canada Border Services Agency to patrol the U.S. Border.

He also says the RCMP and CBSA are working on a list of new equipment that could help supplement their existing enforcement at the border.

LeBlanc’s comments come as Canada tries to quickly beef up border security following a threat by president-elect Donald Trump to impose punishing tariffs on Canada and Mexico over border security concerns.

LeBlanc is likely to get more questions on the issue today when he appears at the House of Commons public safety committee to discuss departmental spending.

He and Trudeau were in Florida Friday dining with Trump at Mar-a-Lago but LeBlanc says the meeting was just the beginning of a conversation where no specific promises were made.

That dinner came just five days after Trump threatened Canada with 25 per cent tariffs if it didn’t do more, in his view, to secure the border from illegal migrant crossings and fentanyl entering the U.S.

Speaking to reporters Monday, LeBlanc said his department is mulling over expanding the CBSA’s mandate to include border patrol between ports of entry. Right now, that responsibility falls on the RCMP.

“I discussed that with the commissioner of the RCMP. If we were to undertake a big machinery-in-government change that may require legislation in the (House of Commons), I’m not sure it would speak to the urgency of the matter,” LeBlanc said.

“But we’re always looking at good ideas and we’re not dismissing this one, but it’s not a priority for us in terms of arriving at the conclusion we want.”

Last week LeBlanc said Canada is considering supplying the RCMP and CBSA with more resources including drones, helicopters and personnel in case of a “surge” at the border.

“It’s not simply an exercise to appease Mr. Trump. It’s an exercise in continuing the important work that’s already been, and will continue to be done,” LeBlanc told reporters Monday, in French.

“We don’t accept the premise or the idea that the border is not secure. But we recognize pressures, whether it is fentanyl, whether it is irregular migration around the world, and we understand the urgency of reassuring our American friends that the resources are in place.”

He would not say what exactly the government is looking to buy at this point but said the RCMP and CBSA are working to put together a list.

“I’ll be working with the finance minister and other colleagues very quickly to ensure that they’re in a position to procure that equipment,” he said. “I spoke to the commissioner of the RCMP and the president of CBSA about this, this morning.”

The supplementary estimates on the official agenda for the committee include a new $8 million ask by the CBSA to combat vehicle theft in Canada, and $23 million for a project rebuilding land border crossings.