Minister LeBlanc Unveils $1.3 Billion Plan to Strengthen Border Security, Proposes Joint Strike Force

The Liberal government on Tuesday outlined a bold $1.3 billion strategy to bolster Canada’s border security, introducing several new measures designed to curb organized cross-border crime and enhance national security.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, fresh from his new role as finance minister following Chrystia Freeland’s sudden resignation, announced plans to propose a “North America Joint Strike Force” to U.S. officials. This task force is envisioned as a collaborative effort to tackle rising threats, including drug trafficking and unauthorized border crossings.

“This new joint strike force could include support and operational surges, dedicated synthetic drug units, expanded combined forces, special enforcement units, binational integrated border enforcement teams, and new technical operations capacity and related infrastructure,” LeBlanc stated during Tuesday’s announcement.

LeBlanc also unveiled plans for an “Aerial Intelligence Task Force,” which would deploy helicopters, drones, and mobile surveillance towers to ensure round-the-clock monitoring at key ports of entry. The initiative aims to close surveillance gaps and deter illicit activities along Canada’s borders.

These measures form part of a broader six-year investment outlined in Monday’s fall budget update. The $1.3 billion package will support Public Safety Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the Communications Security Establishment, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The government emphasized its commitment to ensuring border integrity, stating that the funding will help prevent unauthorized entries and protect against attempts to undermine national security.

The announcement comes amid mounting pressure from the U.S. to address drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, and illegal immigration. Outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian imports unless border security concerns are resolved.

While fentanyl seizures along the U.S.-Canada border have increased, they represent a small fraction of the total intercepted across the U.S. In the northern border region, U.S. border agents apprehended 23,721 individuals under Title 8 authority in the 2024 fiscal year. By contrast, apprehensions at the southern border exceeded 1.5 million.