Canada – United States border | “We don’t want Roxham 2.0”, maintains Minister Bonnardel

The situation at the border is under control on the Canadian side, assured Tuesday the Quebec Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, at a press conference at the headquarters of the Sûreté du Québec, in Montreal.

No information from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or American border authorities suggests that a massive influx of immigrants could cross from the United States to Canada, he said. -he lets it be known.

On the other hand, the minister confirmed a significant increase in illegal crossings to the United States.

Since the start of the year, approximately 25,000 people have crossed the border illegally into the United States, including 19,000 in the Swanton sector, a number that has increased steadily for three years.

Great vigilance

Although the situation remains stable on the Canadian side, François Bonnardel warned against the unpredictability of migratory movements.

“I remain very lucid. We cannot predict what will happen in the coming months, or even the coming weeks,” he stressed, emphasizing the importance of strengthening border security “in both directions”.

“We don’t want Roxham 2.0,” added the minister.

These statements come against a backdrop of growing tensions between Canada and the United States.

President-elect Donald Trump, scheduled to return to power on January 20, 2025, recently announced his intention to impose a 25% tax on Canadian products if concrete measures are not taken to combat illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking.

This threat comes on top of his plan for mass deportations, which is raising concerns about a potential increase in returned migrants trying to cross to Canada.

To address these issues, the federal government recently announced an ambitious investment plan to strengthen border security. This includes the recruitment of additional agents for the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency, as well as the purchase of cutting-edge equipment, including drones and helicopters.

François Bonnardel welcomed these efforts while calling for greater clarity in their implementation. “We want the federal plan to be very precise,” he declared, recalling that collaboration between Ottawa and the provinces is essential to meet American expectations while preserving the security of Canadian territory.

As the date of January 20 approaches, the provinces, including Quebec, are increasing efforts to maintain a balance between national security and economic relations with the United States. Minister Bonnardel insisted on the importance of a coordinated response to anticipate any sudden change in migratory flows.

“It is crucial that we work together to manage the challenges ahead and preserve stability at the borders,” he concluded.