New provincial border security plan welcomed in Sarnia

Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley says he welcomes a provincial plan to boost border security with OPP officers.

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“Anything that helps deal with those cross-border issues, especially on the security side,” said Bradley about Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s response to tariff threats from US president-elect Donald Trump.

The move, dubbed Operation Deterrence, will see some 200 Ontario Provincial Police officers focus on border security, Ford said Tuesday. The OPP has been increasing patrols along the vast border using airplanes, helicopters, drones, boats and patrol vehicles.

What the operation will mean in Sarnia-Lambton isn’t yet clear.

Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey said he’s hoping to get those details soon from Solicitor General Michael Shawn Kerzner.

Bailey said he’s pleased with the move he thinks could address issues with guns and drugs illegally crossing the border, and human trafficking.

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The plan could also help with reinstating an RCMP office in Sarnia that closed in 2019, he said, echoing recent calls from Bradley that the underused Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport could help with office space.

The airport could also be a base for potential OPP helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft patrols, Bailey said.

“I’m assuming there will be” those patrols in Sarnia-Lambton, he said.

Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods on his first day in office on Jan. 20 unless Canada tightens border security, with an emphasis on fentanyl trafficking and illegal crossings.

The province said its operation, which it describes as a “preparedness and planning framework,” will target activities outside of the 14 official border crossings staffed by federal border agents.

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“In partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Operation Deterrence activity will be enhanced through the use of the emergency response team, front-line officers and additional specialty resources, including canine units, commercial motor vehicle inspections and criminal investigators,” it said.

Ontario officials took part in a joint planning and readiness exercise with federal authorities on Friday to promote co-ordination at the border, the province said.

The federal government announced a series of measures following Trump’s election victory in the fall to better secure the border with a $1.3-billion package, in response to the threat. Trump hasn’t said if he will pause the tariffs.

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Ontario has not received any new money from the federal government on the new border measures.

“Ontario has been calling on the federal government to step up and address safety and security concerns at the border,” Ford said in a statement.

“We need to see words turned into visible action. In the meantime, Ontario is stepping up with Operation Deterrence to crack down on illegal border crossings and illegal guns and drugs.”

Ford said a “more co-ordinated, Team Canada approach that includes more boots on the ground” is the only way to address the problem.

Bailey recalled a drone with a bag carrying 11 handguns, believed from the United States, was found in a tree near Port Lambton in 2022.

“I know there’s a big issue (with gun smuggling), as well (as with) human trafficking,” he said.

OPP officials weren’t able to provide details immediately Wednesday about Operation Deterrence plans in Sarnia-Lambton.

Customs and Border Services Agency officials didn’t reply immediately Wednesday to an email seeking comment.

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