Ontario boosts border security amid Trump tariff threat

As Donald Trump threatens 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods unless the border with the U.S. is strengthened, Premier Doug Ford is enhancing security on the frontier.

 

“Ontario has been calling on the federal government to step up and address safety and security concerns at the border. We need to see words turned into visible action,” Ford said Tuesday.

 

The premier’s comments come as the U.S. president-elect is vowing to slap levies on Canadian and Mexican products after his Jan. 20 inauguration unless America’s neighbours curb illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling.

 

“Ontario is stepping up with Operation Deterrence to crack down on illegal border crossings and illegal guns and drugs,” said Ford, imploring Ottawa to also do more.

“A more co-ordinated Team Canada approach that includes more boots on the ground is the only way to detect, deter and disrupt illegal activity and ensure the safety and security of Canadian and American communities.”

 

Ford will meet virtually with the other premiers Wednesday afternoon to further discuss steps to mitigate Trump’s gambit.

 

Operation Deterrence includes 200 Ontario Provincial Police officers, who are working in partnership with the RCMP.

 

In the past five weeks, the OPP has already done more than 6,000 hours of “focused patrols to deter, detect and disrupt illegal border activity using fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft, boats, off-road vehicles, patrol vehicles and foot patrol,” the province said.

 

As well, the government said “Operation Deterrence activity will be enhanced through the use of the emergency response team, front-line officer and additional specialty resources, including canine units, commercial motor vehicle inspections and criminal investigators.”

 

The initiative is above and beyond what is already being done at Ontario’s 14 official U.S. border crossings by the Canada Border Services Agency.

 

In the wake of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing his resignation Monday, Ford has been imploring Ottawa to remain focused on the Trump tariff threat.

 

Speaking to reporters after Trudeau told the nation he would prorogue Parliament and step down after nine years as prime minister, the premier said the federal uncertainty is troubling.

 

“We need all hands on deck. We need the prime minister to continue doing his job. Prorogation doesn’t mean vacation,” said Ford.

“God forbid president-elect Trump gets in there and puts tariffs. We have to retaliate. We have to retaliate hard against our friends south of the border, which is unfortunate.”

 

Since the incoming president’s Nov. 25 tariff threat against Canada and Mexico, Ford, who is chair of the premiers’ Council of the Federation, has been more aggressive than Trudeau or any federal leader.

 

On Dec. 18, the premier warned Ontario could cut off electricity exports flowing stateside in retaliation for any tariffs on trade.

 

With Trump repeatedly trolling Canadians on social media about annexing this country as a “51st state” and referring to the prime minister as the “governor of the great state of Canada,” Ford stressed that joke isn’t funny.

 

“To the president, I’ll make him a counter-offer. How about if we buy Alaska and we’ll throw in Minnesota or Minneapolis at the same time,” the premier said Monday.

 

“It’s not realistic. I know he likes to make these comments, he likes joking around, (but) I take that seriously,” he said.

 

“He may be joking, but under my watch, that will never, ever happen.”

 

 

 

 

 

This article was first reported by The Star