The Ontario government unveiled a new framework on Tuesday to enhance border security along the province’s border with the United States.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced “Operation Deterrence” a day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed he was planning to resign once a new Liberal leader was selected.
The Ontario government has already requested that Ottawa address the province’s economic and security concerns by matching U.S. tariffs on China, banning Chinese software in cars, delaying the digital services tax, and finally meeting NATO’s 2% of GDP defence spending requirements.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it was time to put words into action.
“In the meantime, Ontario is stepping up with Operation Deterrence to crack down on illegal border crossings and illegal guns and drugs,” said Ford. “A more coordinated, 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 spoke of Trudeau’s resignation the day before the border plan was announced.
He said that despite the turmoil within the Liberal Party of Canada, Trudeau had to shift his focus to deal with the pending tariff threat.
“We need all hands on deck. We need the Prime Minister to continue doing his job. Prorogation doesn’t mean vacation. It means continuing moving forward as the Prime Minister as long as he holds that title,” said Ford.
While President-elect Donald Trump has suggested making Canada the 51st state, Ford made him a counteroffer – that Canada would buy Alaska, Minnesota, and Minneapolis, albeit an unlikely possibility considering Canada’s over $1.2 trillion of debt.
Ford said that amid Trudeau’s announcement that he would soon step down, it was time for premiers to step up. As leader of the Council of the Federation, informally known as Canada’s Premiers, he said that’s exactly what they’ll do, and he expects the same of municipal leaders.
The Ontario Provincial Police will deploy 200 frontline and specialty officers to help with Operation Deterrence. Since Dec. 6, 2024, the provincial police have spent 6,000 hours patrolling the border for illegal border activity using aircraft, helicopters, boats, off-road vehicles, and foot patrol.
The Operation Deterrence team will partner with the RCMP, using specialized resources like canine units, commercial vehicle inspections, and criminal investigators. The team will focus on the border crossings outside of the 14 already staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency.
The Ontario government said that if it were a standalone country, it would be the U.S.’s third-largest trading partner, with two-way trade totalling $493 billion in 2023, supporting millions of jobs on both sides of the border.
Ontario implementing border enhancements follows quickly behind the Alberta government implementing similar policies to monitor its nearly 300-kilometre border with the United States.
Quebec has similarly announced that it will deploy provincial police at the U.S. border.
The announcements follow various premiers demanding improved border security after a meeting with Trudeau.
