(Ottawa) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with opposition leaders Tuesday morning in his office on Parliament Hill to brief them on the government’s plan for the Canada-US border.
Posted at 6:33 a.m.
Updated at 11:11 a.m.
Mr. Trudeau’s office confirms that it was the Prime Minister who issued the invitation, following his meeting last Friday with the American president-elect.
Donald Trump had earlier threatened to impose tariffs of 25% on imports of Canadian and Mexican products if the two countries do not do more to stem the illegal passage of people and drugs across the borders.
Mr. Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Mr. Trump on Friday in Florida and promised to act quickly to address his concerns.
Minister LeBlanc said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are providing a list of tools that could enhance existing capabilities at the border, such as drones or helicopters equipped with infrared and night vision sensors.
Earlier Tuesday morning, Messrs. Trudeau and LeBlanc participate in the regular weekly cabinet meeting, before the Prime Minister’s meeting with the Conservative, NDP and Bloc leaders.
Minister LeBlanc must also testify at noon before the Commons Standing Committee on Public Security and National Security to discuss the department’s appropriations.
Mr. LeBlanc indicated Monday that his department was considering expanding the mandate of the CBSA to include patrolling between border crossings. Currently, this responsibility falls to the RCMP.
“This is not just an exercise to appease Mr. Trump, it is an exercise to continue the important work that is already done, which continues to be done every day,” Mr. LeBlanc argued Monday during his press scrum.
“We do not accept the premise or the idea that there is a posture at the border that is not secure. However, we recognize pressures, whether it is fentanyl, whether it is irregular migration across the world, and we understand the urgency of reassuring our American friends that the provisions are in place,” he added.
