Carney announces $618-million program to tighten border security

Prime Minister Carney got a behind-the-scenes look at Niagara Falls’ Rainbow Bridge this morning.

He was joined by Public Safety minister Gary Anandasangaree as the government announced it would be making good on a campaign promise to hire 1,000 Canadian Border Services Agency personnel, and raise their recruit stipend for the first time in 20 years.

“This funding will support specialized operational and analysts who identify individuals and entities who specialize in organized crime, human smuggling, immigration fraud and terrorism,” Anandasangaree said.

The program will cost $618-million over five years, and will be a part of the government’s fall budget.

Of the 1,000 new CBSA officers, the Minister couldn’t say how many would end up at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara, just that the area has vitally important border crossings.

Meanwhile, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle welcomes the investment in his region.

“More officers means more booths open, faster searches, and not only a safer community but a better border experience overall,” he said.

The news comes shortly after Prime Minister Carney announced plans to hire 1,000 more RCMP personnel, including 150 staffers who will focus on money laundering, organized crime, and online fraud.

“This addresses some of the concerns that Canadians have about crime,” says political analyst Lori Williams.

“Nevermind that the statistics on crime are improving, the experience of Canadians is that crime is something that needs to be addressed, and this goes some distance towards it.”

The announcement also comes as the Liberals are facing backlash over their proposed border security bill, Bill C-2, that critics say would have violated Canadians’ Charter Rights.

“They’ve sort of carved carved these out from the original Bill C-2 and they’re putting it in a new bill, C-12, to try and get this passed quickly,” Williams said.

Today’s announcement is part of a Liberal campaign promise, made as U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that fentanyl was entering the United States through Canada, and used that as a reason to impose tariffs.

In the most recent meeting between the two leaders, Trump seemed pleased with Canada’s progress on border security.

“We’ve closed the border,” Carney said.

“And you’ve done well,” Trump responded.

 WATCH: Carney to make border security announcement in Niagara Falls at 11:45 a.m.