(Quebec) Even if “nothing suggests” an increase in illegal crossings to Canada, the Legault government is preparing for the arrival of a migratory wave and could mobilize hundreds of police officers.
Posted at 11:08 a.m.
A few days before American President Donald Trump returns to power, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel indicated Tuesday that nearly 300 police officers from the Sûreté du Québec could be called for reinforcements at the border within 24 to 48 hours. hours if the need arises.
According to information from the intelligence services, said the minister, “nothing suggests in the short term an increase in a greater migratory flow”. “But I can’t sit still. We must prepare to face a possible flow in the coming weeks,” he said.
The Sûreté du Québec is therefore preparing the “Pélican” plan, which would make it possible to coordinate the police response to a sudden migratory flow, in the context where the new American administration is promising a massive expulsion of migrants.
Put pressure on Ottawa
During this announcement, Mr. Bonnardel reiterated the desire of the Quebec government to put pressure on Ottawa to reassure Mr. Trump, who has criticized the porosity of the Canadian border, and threatens Canada with customs tariffs of 25%.
In 2024, said the minister, 19,000 migrants crossed the border into the United States in a sector that stretches between the cities of Cornwall in Ontario and Sherbrooke in Quebec, said Mr. Bonnardel.
To limit these passages, we must reduce the number of visas given to Indian immigrants, he believes. “The largest percentage of these people crossing illegally [proviennent] of the Indian community,” said Mr. Bonnardel.
Despite the addition of personnel and investments in technology, “if Immigration Canada does not put in its two cents”, we could have “the same picture next year”.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in a series of interviews given to American media, however, insists that Canada is not responsible for the massive arrival of illegal immigrants, and that less than 1% of these come from the Canada.
In a podcast interview Standpoint with Gabe Groismanformer Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper also criticized Donald Trump’s comments, saying that there was no significant migratory flow between Canada and the United States.
Mr. Bonnardel also indicated that he would increase the number of Sûreté du Québec police officers working at border crossings from 3 to 9, and that he was concerned about the arrival of firearms. from the United States, including the states of Ohio, Texas and Florida.
