Canada’s Border, nearly 13,000 kilometers long, has become a symbol of the Liberal government’s incompetence and procrastination. Efforts to strengthen border security are marked by grotesque inefficiency and bureaucratic paralysis, leaving citizens in a state of disgust and concern over security issues.
(Available in French on Libre Média)
Reforms at a Snail’s Pace Under a Paralyzed Liberal Government
With growing threats like terrorism, drug trafficking, and irregular immigration, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, stated last December that the Liberal government seems to have lost control.
The complexity of administration is used as an excuse to justify their inaction, while relations with the United States are managed with such ineptitude that one might think the Liberals are deliberately seeking to create tension. Every reform proposal is drowned in a sea of unnecessary committees and consultations, making any action feel like an attempt to build an empire on the moon.
Consequences of Liberal Inertia
This lazy and irresponsible approach has catastrophic consequences. Security gaps are widening, like fentanyl trafficking and illegal migrants, providing a highway for threats. Canada’s reputation as a reliable security partner on the global stage is tarnished, with the country seen as a sleeping giant, unable to react effectively.
The management of migration flows is left to a Liberal government that seems to prefer looking the other way while problems worsen. The situation at Roxham Road is a scandal where late and inadequate political responses have left lives in a legal purgatory. In 2022, over 39,000 migrants illegally crossed the Canadian-American border at Roxham Road. The Liberals should never have accepted illegal migrants at Roxham Road, a decision that not only opened the door to irregular immigration but also weakened Canada’s sovereignty over its own borders.
The passage of illegal migrants to the United States remains highly problematic. Between October 2023 and July 2024, over 19,000 migrants were intercepted by U.S. authorities.
DJI Drone Fiasco and the Reckless Purchase of Blackhawks
The investment in DJI drones by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) shows not only a misunderstanding of security issues but also contempt for U.S. border policies. Manufactured in China, DJI drones are not allowed as they pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. A bill was introduced in the U.S. Congress in 2023 to ban Chinese drones. This decision, made without consideration for American concerns, is a blatant example of Liberal shortsightedness.
Canada could have opted for Parrot drones, made in the U.S., thus avoiding tensions with its southern neighbor and benefiting from recognized technology without the security risks associated with DJI products, but Liberal inertia chose to maintain the status quo of inefficiency.
Moreover, the purchase of two Blackhawk helicopters is a political makeup attempt. These two Blackhawks add to the three already in use by the RCMP. However, the purchase of two more helicopters remains a costly and derisory solution given the extent of the border, which measures nearly 9,000 kilometers. This late and poorly calibrated decision reflects a Liberal government that reacts after the fact, without strategic vision.
Parliamentary Prorogation: A Cynical Liberal Tactic
The prorogation of Parliament, a frequent maneuver by the Liberal government to avoid responsibility, has exacerbated the security crisis. This cynical practice suspends legislative work, delays vital decisions, and deprives the CBSA of necessary resources. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agents, left to fend for themselves, are victims of a Liberal administration that seems to prefer political silence over action. CBSA employs over 14,000 agents who, despite a seemingly reasonable number, inspect only about 1% of goods entering Canada. According to the union, there’s a shortage of about 2,000 to 3,000 agents to fulfill their basic mandate.
Liberal Inaction and Risk of U.S. Tariffs
The Liberal government shows a glaring inability to formulate a coherent plan or even react to criticism. This inaction could not only compromise national security but also trigger economic retaliation from the United States.
In the absence of an adequate response from the Liberals, the U.S. might impose tariffs, endangering bilateral trade and economic ties with our largest trading partner.
Concrete actions are essential, as well as a fundamental reform of how the government handles national security issues. The purchase of state-of-the-art cameras and radars is the first measure that must be taken. These devices should be deployed in the highest-risk areas, considering intelligence shared between Canada and the U.S. For example, Windsor Port Authority recently equipped itself with surveillance equipment from Axis Communications and Accipiter to facilitate the detection of illegal activities at the border.
A significant increase in CBSA agents deployed on the ground to enhance border patrols and inspect goods entering Canada is also crucial. The Premier of British Columbia is pressuring the federal government to reform the Canadian Port Police to combat fentanyl trafficking. More than 5,000 kilograms of drugs from Canada have been seized by U.S. border agents. An increased presence of CBSA agents along the border would be a concrete and deterrent measure against illegal crossings outside official ports.
However, it’s too late for the Liberals to do anything; not only have they not led significant national security reforms, but their administrative lethargy, lack of adoption of proven technologies, and inability to strengthen international cooperation with the necessary responsiveness have already demonstrated their incompetence. It’s time for an election to allow a new administration to take the reins and seriously tackle these critical issues.
The next government must invest wisely in securing the borders by working closely with the United States. Sharing intelligence, using joint technology, increasing on-the-ground agents, and improving national security policies are necessary not only to avoid 25% customs tariffs but also to enhance the safety of Canadian citizens on their own soil.
