Canada is beefing up border security with measures including the deployment of drones and Black Hawk helicopters. The country continues to show its commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient border while ensuring the integrity of its immigration system.
On This Page You Will Find:
- Overview of Canada’s Border Plan: Insights into the $1.3 billion investment to strengthen border security and improve immigration integrity.
- Key Updates on Border Security Measures: Deployment of drones, Black Hawk helicopters, surveillance towers, and advanced detection tools.
- Concrete Actions and Results: Specific outcomes like reduced illegal crossings, improved visa screening, and the end of flagpoling.
- Technological Advancements: New technologies, including AI tools, mobile X-rays, and canine units, enhancing detection and border patrol capabilities.
- Efforts to Combat Transnational Crime: Strategies to address organized crime, drug trafficking, and the fentanyl crisis through enhanced intelligence and new task forces.
- Immigration Integrity Enhancements: Reforms to prevent fraudulent claims and ensure accessibility for eligible immigrants.
- Cross-Border Collaboration: Details on the Canada-US partnership, including the Safe Third Country Agreement and proposed initiatives like the North American Joint Strike Force.
- Resource Optimization and System Strengthening: Amendments to streamline processes and improve border management.
- Future Focus and Investments: Canada’s commitment to maintaining secure and efficient borders while promoting trust in its immigration system.
Updates on the measures to reinforce the integrity of the Canada-US border and the immigration system under Canada’s Border Plan, introduced in December 2024, were announced on January 15 by Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
It comes as Donald Trump begins his second term as US president on Monday. His first term was marked with a huge surge in irregular border crossings from the US into Canada.
With an investment of $1.3 billion, the Border Plan is a comprehensive initiative designed to minimize unnecessary border traffic, enhance detection capabilities, and safeguard against illegal crossings and non-genuine immigration claims. These measures mark a significant milestone in fostering security and trust in the immigration process.
Concrete Actions and Tangible Results
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), in collaboration with Public Safety, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), has made significant strides. Measures such as deploying advanced surveillance technology, heightening visa scrutiny, and refining border enforcement strategies are already yielding results:
- Reduced Illegal Crossings: Since the additional protocol to the Safe Third Country Agreement was introduced, illegal crossings have dropped dramatically, from an average of 165 per day in March 2023 to just 12 per day.
- Visa Screening Success: Targeted changes, like the partial visa requirement for Mexican nationals, have reduced asylum claims by 97 percent and southbound illegal crossings by 72 percent compared to 2023.
- Ending Flagpoling: A ban on the inefficient practice of “flagpoling” has led to an 86 percent reduction, saving 8,000 workdays for border officials. According to the CBSA, flagpoling occurs when foreign nationals with temporary resident status in Canada leave and re-enter after visiting the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon to access immigration services at a port of entry.
Technology and Enhanced Surveillance
To address growing challenges, Canada has bolstered its technological infrastructure:
- Advanced Detection Tools: Mobile X-rays, handheld chemical analyzers, and artificial intelligence tools enhance CBSA’s ability to detect contraband and monitor border activities.
- Drones and Surveillance Towers: Canada is now deploying helicopters, including Black Hawks entering service this week, among a range of other measures like drones to patrol the US-Canada border, McGuinty said on Wednesday. Additional surveillance towers will monitor high-risk areas effectively.
“We have deployed 60 new drones along our border with the United States and will be deploying additional surveillance towers. We are acquiring new technology such as X-rays, mobile X-rays, and handheld chemical analyzers. As of this week, we are deploying new helicopters at the Canada-US border,” McGuinty said in Ottawa.
- Canine Units: CBSA is training and deploying new detector dog teams strategically to intercept illegal drugs and other contraband.
These advancements and increased real-time information sharing with the United States ensure a coordinated response to potential threats.
Combatting Transnational Crime and Drug Trafficking
Canada is intensifying its efforts to dismantle organized crime and curtail the trafficking of illegal substances, including fentanyl. A new Aerial Intelligence Task Force equipped with drones, helicopters, and counter-drone technology is at the forefront of this fight.
Additionally, Health Canada has launched initiatives to combat the fentanyl crisis:
- A new Canadian Drug Profiling Centre will support up to 2,000 investigations annually.
- The Chemical Precursor Risk Management Unit will monitor and disrupt the flow of precursors used in drug production.
Together, these measures will strengthen Canada’s capacity to detect and intercept illegal substances before they infiltrate communities.
Strengthening the System
Ensuring a fair and effective immigration system is a cornerstone of the Border Plan. IRCC has introduced reforms to reduce fraudulent claims and ensure that Canada’s immigration pathways remain accessible only to those who meet eligibility criteria:
- Enhanced Fraud Detection: A new system has led to an 89 percent reduction in illegal US crossings by foreign nationals and a 61 percent increase in visa refusals from high-risk countries. Miller said Canada’s recent restrictions on visa requirements have led to an 89 percent drop in people crossing illegally into the United States since June 2024.
- Scrutiny of Study Permits: Reforms to the International Student Program have resulted in a 91 percent drop in illegal crossings by study permit holders.
These actions protect the system’s integrity and bolster public trust in Canada’s immigration processes.
Cross Border Collaborative Efforts
The Canada-US partnership remains pivotal to border security. The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) and its Additional Protocol ensure that asylum seekers must claim protection in the first safe country they enter. Enhanced collaboration, such as joint intelligence sharing and planning, enables both nations to address irregular migration and drug trafficking more effectively.
Plans are also underway to propose a North American Joint Strike Force to target transnational organized crime. This initiative aims to streamline efforts across federal, provincial, and local law enforcement, creating regional hubs to address emerging threats swiftly.
Optimizing Resources
Reducing unnecessary border traffic is a priority under the Border Plan. The government has introduced amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, granting authorities the power to suspend or cancel immigration documents in cases of suspected fraud. This approach not only curtails misuse but also ensures an efficient allocation of resources.
Building a Secure Future
McGuinty emphasized the importance of a secure border: “Border security is a top priority across the Government of Canada. The progress on the immigration integrity side complements enforcement action and new detection and deterrence tools. Together, these investments create a clear picture of strong border management and integrity.”
Miller added: “We must preserve the integrity of our immigration system, so it remains well-managed, sustainable, and trusted by Canadians. By reducing non-genuine visitors, preventing illegal border crossings, and improving information-sharing with the United States, we are taking concrete steps to protect the safety of both sides of the border.”
Focus
The Government of Canada is committed to building on the progress achieved under the Border Plan. Upcoming investments and initiatives will continue to focus on enhancing border security, streamlining immigration processes, and fostering cross-border collaboration.
By taking a proactive and collaborative approach, Canada sets a global example of balancing security with openness, ensuring that its borders remain a gateway to prosperity, not a barrier.
FAQ: Canada’s Border Security and Immigration Updates
What is Canada’s Border Plan, and what does it aim to achieve?
Canada’s Border Plan is a $1.3 billion initiative introduced to enhance border security and immigration integrity. It focuses on reducing illegal crossings, combating transnational crime, and improving immigration processes. Measures include deploying advanced technology like drones, surveillance towers, and Black Hawk helicopters, along with tightening visa requirements and enhancing fraud detection. These efforts aim to maintain a secure border while ensuring the immigration system remains fair, efficient, and trusted by Canadians.
How has the Border Plan reduced illegal crossings into Canada?
The Border Plan, supported by the Additional Protocol to the Safe Third Country Agreement, has significantly reduced illegal crossings. Daily crossings dropped from 165 in March 2023 to 12 by early 2025. Enhanced border enforcement, targeted visa reforms, and stricter immigration checks contribute to this reduction. These measures not only protect Canada’s borders but also ensure resources are allocated to genuine asylum seekers and immigrants who meet eligibility criteria.
What new technologies are being used to secure the Canada-US border?
Canada has implemented cutting-edge technologies, including drones, Black Hawk helicopters, mobile X-rays, and handheld chemical analyzers. Surveillance towers monitor high-risk areas, while artificial intelligence tools and detector dog teams improve the detection of contraband and illegal activities. These advancements allow border officials to address threats more effectively, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen the overall security of Canada’s borders.
How does Canada collaborate with the US on border security?
Canada and the US work closely through agreements like the Safe Third Country Agreement and joint intelligence-sharing initiatives. The countries coordinate on issues such as irregular migration and drug trafficking. Canada has proposed a North American Joint Strike Force to combat transnational organized crime, further enhancing cross-border cooperation. This partnership ensures a unified approach to security challenges, fostering trust and safety on both sides of the border.
What steps are being taken to prevent immigration fraud?
Canada has introduced stricter visa screening, enhanced fraud detection systems, and reforms to the International Student Program to prevent misuse. Authorities can now suspend or cancel immigration documents in cases of suspected fraud. These measures have led to a significant reduction in non-genuine immigration claims, bolstering the integrity of Canada’s immigration system and ensuring resources are allocated to deserving applicants.