Ontario invests $32.5M to boost border security, stop smuggling

Ontario is investing $32.5 million in advanced tools and resources to help police stop the smuggling of illegal guns, drugs and contraband across its borders.

“Protecting Ontario starts with strong borders,” says Solicitor General Michael Kerzner.

“We’re giving police the tools they need to stop illegal guns, drugs and organized crime before they reach our communities because every illegal firearm or shipment of drugs intercepted at the border is one less threat to Ontario families.”

Ontario is introducing two new border security initiatives as part of Operation Deterrence.

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One of the initiatives is a $30 million Border Security Grant to help eligible municipal and First Nations police services purchase specialized equipment such as drones, marine vessels and surveillance systems and secure intelligence technology.

The other initiative is a $2.5 million Border Integrity Investigative Fund to support investigations into illegal firearms trafficking, drug smuggling, organized crime and other cross-border criminal activity.

As announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget, to boost security along the U.S. border, Ontario is dedicating $57 million from its 2025 budget to purchase two new H-135 helicopters.

The aircraft will help support Windsor police, Niagara police and West Region OPP in strengthening patrols and enforcement at key border crossings and along the U.S. border.

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