The RCMP wants to buy around 30 drones to help monitor the border

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is preparing to purchase 17 new drones, with options to purchase at least 14 more, with the aim of increasing surveillance on the border between Canada and the United States, according to information collected by -.

Three calls for tenders from the GRC for the purchase of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), or drones, were published on November 15 and 19, less than two weeks after Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the United States.

According to the documents consulted by -, these drones must be able to carry out vertical takeoffs and landings, operate at 7500 feet [près de 2300 mètres] altitude, be equipped with electro-optical camera with infrared thermal imager and a optical zoom of at least 20x.

The camera must be able to take still images or video and be able to carry out lock on to the target and track it, whether stationary or movingaccording to one of the calls for tenders consulted by -.

The intended use for the acquisition of these drones could support [sic] border enforcement in addition to other police operationsconfirmed by email a spokesperson for the GRC.

One of the calls for tenders consulted by -, which ends on December 3, indicates that two drones must be delivered to D Division facilities in Winnipeg, Manitobawith the possibility of purchasing six more which will be delivered to various locations in the GRC in Canada in the following two years.

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Two other calls for tenders, which end on December 16, include the purchase of 15 drones, with the option to purchase at least 8 other devices. No purchase amount is specified in these calls for tenders.

A government source told - that other drone purchases are expected in the coming months.

Border policy

Last week, Donald Trump threatened to impose on Mexico and Canada tariffs of 25% on all products entering the United States. A tax that would remain in force until drugs, especially fentanyl, and all illegal immigrants stop this invasion of the United States, affirmed the American president-designate.

During the dinner at Mar-a-Lago between Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump last Friday, the Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc, indicated to his future counterparts in the American administration that Canada would purchase other technical equipment, drones and helicopters. We will redeploy additional staff at the border, Mr. LeBlanc said on Monday.

This is not simply an exercise in appeasing Mr. Trump. This is to reassure Canadians and, consequently, our American friends, that the posture at the border is secure.

We recognize pressures, whether it is fentanyl, whether it is irregular migration, continued the minister. We have the human resources, equipment and technology necessary to continue to ensure the security of our border.

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The President of the Treasury Board, Anita Anand, indicated that the Canadian government was listening to its American partner, and that Canada had already invested a lot of resources at the border. We continue to invest in defense, our borders, public security, underlined the minister, and this will continue with our supplies.

On Sunday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre demanded a new plan from the Trudeau government to tighten surveillance at the Canada-US border. In particular, he calls for an increase in border patrols, the deployment of new technologies, such as helicopters and drones, and the expansion of the mandate of Canadian border services agents.

Over the past two years, barely 0.1% of the fentanyl seized at US borders has come from Canada, or only 53 pounds (around 24 kilos) out of a total of 49,000 pounds (nearly 22,300 kg).

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