Quebec boosts border security resources as Trump tariff threat looms

Quebec Boosting Border Security Efforts to Combat Organized Crime

Quebec’s public security minister announced on Tuesday that the province is ramping up its efforts to combat organized crime near the U.S. border. In response to a surge in illegal crossings and the looming threat from incoming President Donald Trump, Public Security Minister François Bonnardel revealed that six additional Sûreté du Québec (SQ) investigators will be deployed to the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), which is coordinated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This deployment comes on top of the three investigators already assigned to the task force.

The BEST task force focuses on cross-border organized crime cases involving the smuggling of people, drugs, and firearms. With the number of illegal crossings on the rise in recent years, particularly in the Swanton Sector, which spans from Akwesasne in Ontario to Sherbrooke in Quebec, the increased SQ deployment is part of a larger effort by provincial and federal authorities to crack down on illegal cross-border migration and smuggling.

Bonnardel recently met with U.S. officials who highlighted the concerning trend of illegal crossings, with a significant portion of them occurring in the Swanton Sector. This has prompted Quebec officials to seek answers from Ottawa regarding their newly announced $1.3 billion plan to invest in border security. While the plan includes investments in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and new technology such as drones and surveillance towers, Bonnardel emphasized the importance of ensuring that a substantial portion of the funding is allocated to Quebec.

The minister expressed concerns about the permissiveness of Canada’s immigration policies, particularly regarding Indian nationals who travel legally to Canada only to cross into the U.S. illegally. As the SQ remains vigilant in monitoring any potential surge in migration northward due to Trump’s immigration policies, Bonnardel assured that the police force is prepared to deploy 300 officers within 48 hours if needed to address an increase in illegal migration.

Despite Trump’s focus on fentanyl smuggling from Canada, U.S. officials have indicated that drug trafficking is not a major concern in the Swanton sector. However, the SQ is collaborating closely with partners south of the border to crack down on gun smuggling into Canada. The police force has also received numerous reports from concerned citizens regarding suspicious activities near the border, such as migrants entering the woods or vehicles lingering nearby. Additionally, calls for help from migrants facing challenges while attempting to cross the border’s rugged terrain have been addressed by the SQ.

As Quebec intensifies its efforts to combat organized crime and enhance border security, the collaboration between provincial, federal, and U.S. authorities will be crucial in safeguarding the border and addressing the challenges posed by illegal crossings and smuggling activities.