Border security: Quebec prepares for a migratory wave

The Legault government is preparing to deploy more than 300 Sûreté du Québec agents in 24 to 48 hours in the event of a migratory wave arriving from the United States following the inauguration of American President Donald Trump.

“Nothing suggests a migratory flow in the short term. But I cannot sit still,” declared the Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, admitting that it is however difficult to assess the extent of a possible migratory flow. “We are making every effort with our partners to secure the border.”

Remember that President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose tariffs of 25% on Canadian products.

Prime Minister Legault wants to secure the borders without delay to reassure those who will be sworn in on January 20.

Mr. Trump cited issues like Fentanil and illegal migrant smuggling.

Minister Bonnardel is, however, clear: there is no problem with Fentanil at the border which runs along Quebec territory with the United States.

In addition, he points out that the majority of illegal weapons seized in Quebec, i.e. 53%, come from the United States.

Few levers

Conversely, Quebec admits to having little power of action for this type of crossings which occur illegally from the north to the south of the border. These passages have been on the rise in recent years. They went from 7,000 in 2021 to 19,000 last year.

The problem is mainly in the Swanton area, the border that starts near Ontario and goes all the way to Sherbrooke. It is mainly Indians who cross illegally from Canada to the United States from its territory.

“The largest percentage of these people who cross illegally is the Indian community. Why the Indian community? From what I understand, these people arrive legally with permits and visas and try to cross to the other side,” mentioned Minister Bonnardel.

If they go through border crossings, agents can play a role there, he said. Quebec has notably tripled its presence within the American mixed teams of the Border Enforcement Security Task Force, increasing from 3 to 9 agents per location.

Canadian laxity?

However, if illegal migrants cross the border in another way, Quebec can do nothing about it, because the people who cross are committing an illegal act by arriving at our American neighbors.

According to Minister Bonnardel, it is up to the Canadian government to better manage the granting of visas and access to enter Canada.

“It’s this whole context which does not belong to me and which belongs to the federal government… Is there too much laxity?”, he said.

Moreover, he believes that beyond the sums spent by Ottawa to secure the border, he “wants something concrete”.

There are nevertheless nearly 800 personnel from the Border Services Agency, the RCMP and the SQ, who ensure the control and security of the borders between Quebec and the United States, argues the Minister of Public Security .