Premier Ford announces enhanced security measures at Ontario-U.S. border as Trump tariff threat looms

Premier Doug Ford’s government has announced enhanced security measures along the Ontario-U.S. border to combat criminal activity.

Titled “Operation Deterrence,” described as a preparedness and planning framework, the province said OPP and frontline and specialty officers will remain present to improve border security. Since Dec. 6, the province said several patrols have already disrupted illegal border activity using fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, remotely piloted aircraft, boats, off-road vehicles, patrol vehicles and foot patrol.

“Ontario has been calling on the federal government to step up and address safety and security concerns at the border. We need to see words turned into visible action,” Premier Ford said in a statement.

“In the meantime, Ontario is stepping up with ‘Operation Deterrence’ to crack down on illegal border crossings and illegal guns and drugs. A more coordinated Team Canada approach that includes more boots on the ground is the only way to detect, deter and disrupt illegal activity and ensure the safety and security of Canadian and American communities.”

Operation Deterrence will target its activities outside the 14 official border crossings staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

The province’s announcement comes one day after Premier Ford addressed Justin Trudeau’s resignation as Liberal Party leader by stating that the U.S. and Canada should unite against China, which Premier Ford accused of using Mexican supply chains to undercut American and Canadian prices.

Premiers, including Ford, will meet with the Prime Minister next week. Sources tell 680 NewsRadio the first Minister’s meeting will take place in person, in Ottawa next Wednesday, January 15. 

In response to Trudeau’s announcement, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump stated in a social media post that if Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no tariffs imposed, taxes would “go way down,” and the country would be “totally secure from the threat of the Russian and Chinese ships that are constantly surrounding them.”

Trump’s proposal to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all goods and services from Canada and Mexico was framed as a strategy to pressure the two nations into taking more decisive action against cross-border smuggling of drugs and people.

“We have a tremendous amount to offer the United States as we have over the years, no matter if it’s our energy or our critical minerals,” the premier said on Monday. “And that’s what we want to do; we want to make sure we’re stronger together.”

Ontario’s Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, said the province’s goal is to secure the shared border, which he called essential to keeping streets across Ontario, Canada and America safe.

“Operation Deterrence will put concrete actions in place that will put a halt on the flow of illegal guns and drugs into our province and protect communities on both sides of the border.”