Feds Announce Plan to Strengthen Border Security and Canada’s Immigration System
(TORONTO< Dec. 19, 2024) -- The Government of Canada announced a $1.3 Billion plan to enhance our nation’s security and the immigration system.
Details released last night outline a multipronged approach to disrupt the movement of illicit drugs and provide new tools for law enforcement officials. It also contains proposed measures to protect the integrity of Canada’s visa system, among other significant items.
The intent to release the plan was highlighted in the Fall Economic Statement, which also looks to address wage theft, and tax cheating.
Amongst the new measures and investments being put forward, include:
Investing in new law enforcement tools such as drones, surveillance towers, and leveraging artificial intelligence capabilities.
Improving coordination between national, regional and local law enforcement, with the proposal to create a joint Strike Force with U.S. officials to target organized crime.
Expanding intelligence sharing agreements with governments at all levels to focus on issues such as illicit drugs and organized crime activities.
Introduce new legislation and increase oversight regarding inadmissible people within Canada as well as closing gaps within Canada’s visa program.
Amendments to the Customs Act that will compel carriers and sufferance warehouse operators to grant access to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers to examine goods destined for export, as well as require owners and operators to provide adequate facilities for these officers to carry out the CBSA’s mandate.
More details from Public Safety Canada are available here.
“CTA will continue to work with the Government of Canada and enforcement officials at all levels on how we increase border security and secure the trucking supply chain as we move forward. This is an excellent opportunity to clean up a several overdue critical issues facing the Canadian Trucking Industry,” said Geoff Wood, CTA’s Sr. VP, Policy.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has been asking by the federal government and Canada’s premiers to work collaboratively to develop an action plan to secure the border and brace for tariffs. The Alliance recommendations include taking strong measures to secure the truck transportation supply chain, by increasing on-road inspection and enforcement activities to deal with immigration, labour, and illegal cargo shipments before they ever reach the border, similar to the approach being taken by the Government of Alberta.
The CTA has also spent the last couple of weeks discussing its action plan and concerns of the trucking industry with other industry groups and supply chain stakeholders.