In Vancouver, British Columbia (AP), a Canadian government appointee tasked with halting the flow of fentanyl into the United States is determined to eradicate this deadly drug from crossing the border completely. Kevin Brosseau, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police member and a previous national security and intelligence advisor, shared his ambitious objective of reducing the fentanyl count to zero. “Getting the number to zero is a goal and should be our goal,” Brosseau stated on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of focusing on eliminating fentanyl from both countries to prevent further loss of lives.
Brosseau’s appointment as Canada’s fentanyl czar was announced by the Canadian government in response to President Donald Trump’s concerns over the influx of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the U.S. Trump had previously threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods, with a 10% exception on energy, which has been put on hold until at least March 4. Brosseau, following a visit to a Canada Border Services Agency port of entry facility in Lansdowne, Ontario, highlighted the significance of combating the fentanyl crisis and strengthening the relationship with American counterparts.
With a background of more than 20 years in the RCMP, including roles as deputy commissioner and senior Mountie in Manitoba, Brosseau expressed his intention to collaborate with U.S. officials, including Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar. His main focus is to unite various levels of law enforcement to intensify efforts and yield tangible results in combating fentanyl trafficking across borders.
Statistics from U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed that 19.5 kilograms (43 pounds) of fentanyl were seized at the northern border last year, significantly lower than the 9,570 kilograms (21,098 pounds) seized at the southwestern border. In addition to Brosseau’s appointment, the Canadian government announced a substantial investment of CDN$1.3 billion (US$910 million) in bolstering border security, encompassing the acquisition of new helicopters, advanced technology, and increased personnel.
During the event, David McGuinty, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, acknowledged the challenges of managing relations with President Trump but emphasized the importance of finding common ground for the benefit of both nations. McGuinty firmly stated Canada’s sovereignty and independence, refuting Trump’s suggestions of annexation. He stressed the need for level-headedness and a methodical approach in navigating the complex issues at hand for both countries.
