Canada’s public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, has expressed his firm confidence in the capabilities of agencies responsible for detaining and deporting individuals living in the country without authorization, as well as in ensuring security threats do not cross into the United States. He emphasized that the government remains prepared to allocate additional enforcement resources should the situation demand it.
In light of the impending Donald Trump administration and the recently appointed “border czar,” who has deemed the Canada-U.S. border a “huge national security issue,” LeBlanc articulated that the diligent efforts undertaken by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) should demonstrate to U.S. officials that Canada is equally committed to addressing border security concerns.
“I’m very confident in the work that they can do with their American counterparts,” LeBlanc stated during an interview with Mercedes Stephenson that aired on Sunday in The West Block. “We’ll reassure the American administration that we’re prepared to do the work that’s necessary.”
In response to pressure from opposition parties and provinces, the Canadian government is actively considering plans to bolster resources at the U.S.-Canada border, anticipating a potential surge in individuals trying to cross into Canada from the U.S. This is occurring in the context of Trump’s aggressive promises of mass deportations and stringent crackdowns on asylum applications.
LeBlanc highlighted that the government has been diligently preparing for the possibility of a Trump administration. “We recognize the increased public attention around some of the proposals of the incoming administration,” he explained. “That’s why they’ve been preparing literally for months in terms of scenario planning. I’m confident that they’re ready to do the work that Canadians expect them to do.”
The attention surrounding this issue has raised important questions about Canada’s immigration screening processes and the enforcement measures in place for removing individuals whose temporary visas have expired or those identified as security risks.
In a significant operation this year, both the RCMP and intelligence agencies successfully thwarted two suspected terrorist plots involving individuals who either entered Canada on student visas or made refugee claims — one of whom was allegedly planning an attack in New York City.
LeBlanc emphasized that these arrests serve as clear evidence of Canada’s dedication to this issue, stating, “We need to remain vigilant on both sides of the border to counter future threats.” In an interview with local TV station 7News in Watertown, N.Y., newly designated U.S. “border czar” Tom Homan underscored an “extreme national security vulnerability” along the Canada-U.S. border that requires prompt and effective response.
Furthermore, earlier this year, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who has been appointed by Trump as his secretary of state, voiced concerns along with other senators regarding potential threats posed by “Gazans with potential terrorist ties entering the U.S. through Canada.” This alarm was raised after Canada relaxed temporary visa restrictions for family members fleeing the ongoing conflict in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.
LeBlanc mentioned that he has witnessed firsthand the advanced technology being utilized by the CBSA and the RCMP, which actively patrols areas of the border beyond official crossings, successfully identifying and apprehending those attempting to circumvent the system.
The government has committed to ensuring that the RCMP and CBSA have access to the necessary resources to adequately respond to rising concerns. The CBSA reported that a total of 15,179 individuals were removed from Canada in the previous year, and LeBlanc pointed out that the nation is on pace to exceed that number this year, with 12,401 individuals already removed as of the current date.
However, data presented by the CBSA earlier this year revealed that most individuals who received deportation orders over the last eight years continue to reside in Canada, a statistic the Conservative Party claims reflects a significant enforcement gap.
LeBlanc highlighted a remarkable 600 percent uptick in investigations into fraudulent visa applications at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, in conjunction with nearly $1 billion in investments toward CBSA detention and removal operations, asserting that these initiatives are indicative of the government’s readiness to tackle the challenges at hand.
Although the encounters of migrants seeking to cross into the U.S. via the Canadian border saw a staggering 306 percent year-over-year increase in June, the figures have notably declined by 50 percent, with 1,792 encounters reported as of September, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics.
The figures for encounters at the northern border pale in comparison to those recorded at the southern border with Mexico, which experienced nearly 54,000 encounters just in September, a 78 percent decline since December of the previous year.
In the 7News interview, Homan pointed out that while extensive focus has been diverted to the southern border, the northern border is now patrolled by “a lot less fewer officers.” He vowed to rectify this situation once in office.
The Customs and Immigration Union has expressed ongoing concerns regarding long-standing staffing shortages within the CBSA, estimating that the agency would require an additional 2,000 to 3,000 officers merely to meet current operational demands.
Human smuggling activities have also surged along the northern border. USBP Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia recently stated that his agents have apprehended over 19,222 individuals from 97 different countries since last October, a total that surpasses the combined apprehensions of the last 17 fiscal years.
“There’s no doubt that global migration has led many countries, including ours, to face challenges that a decade ago we wouldn’t have seen,” LeBlanc remarked when addressing those alarming statistics, noting the recent decrease in border encounters in the months following.
“Twenty-five years ago, I don’t think Canadians or Americans understood the extent to which the safe, secure, free movement of people and goods across that border is essential to the economic prosperity and security of both countries. So it’s entirely a shared priority.”
What strategies is Canada implementing to address the challenges of increased border crossings from the U.S. under the new administration?
**Interview with Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc**
**Host:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister LeBlanc. With recent developments concerning border security and potential changes in U.S. immigration policy under the incoming Trump administration, how is Canada preparing?
**Dominic LeBlanc:** Thank you for having me. As I expressed in a recent interview, I have full confidence in the capabilities of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to not only manage unauthorized individuals in Canada but also to work collaboratively with our American counterparts to ensure security along the border.
**Host:** Can you elaborate on how Canada plans to reinforce border security, especially given the expectation of increased crossings from the U.S.?
**Dominic LeBlanc:** Absolutely. We are actively assessing the situation and are prepared to allocate additional resources if required. We’ve been scenario planning and strategizing for months now in anticipation of the Trump administration’s approach to immigration. This preparation is crucial for effectively managing any challenges that arise.
**Host:** What measures are being taken to prevent security threats from reaching the U.S. through Canada?
**Dominic LeBlanc:** Recently, our agencies successfully thwarted two significant terrorist plots involving individuals who had entered Canada via student visas or refugee claims. This clearly demonstrates our commitment to vigilance on both sides of the border. We have advanced technology in place and conduct thorough patrols beyond official crossings to identify potential threats.
**Host:** There is concern, especially voiced by U.S. officials, regarding individuals potentially infiltrating U.S. borders from Canada. How does this concern intersect with the current refugee situation, particularly with respect to those fleeing conflict in the Middle East?
**Dominic LeBlanc:** We understand the importance of scrutinizing our immigration processes. While we’ve relaxed certain visa restrictions for individuals fleeing violence, we remain steadfast in our dedication to security. Our statistics indicate a significant uptick in investigations into fraudulent applications, and we’ve bolstered funding for the CBSA to enhance our enforcement operations.
**Host:** Opposition parties have raised alarm over the number of individuals who, despite having deportation orders, continue to reside in Canada. How do you respond?
**Dominic LeBlanc:** This is indeed a concern. I acknowledge that the statistics presented by the CBSA suggest an enforcement gap. However, the increase in our deportation efforts— evidenced by a significant rise in removals this year—is indicative of our commitment to addressing this issue. We’ve invested nearly $1 billion in enhancing our detention and removal processes.
**Host:** Thank you, Minister LeBlanc, for your insights. With the landscape of border security evolving, your government’s preparedness to act will undoubtedly be a point of focus moving forward.
**Dominic LeBlanc:** Thank you for having me. We understand the stakes, and I assure you that we will continue to prioritize the safety and security of Canadians and our U.S. partners.
