Canada Introduces Strong Border Act to Bolster National Security
and Public Safety
Los Angeles/Jun 05, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh
In a decisive step to reinforce Canada’s national security, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, has introduced the Strong Borders Act. This legislation aims to equip law enforcement with the tools necessary to secure the country’s borders, dismantle transnational crime networks, block the trafficking of illegal fentanyl, and clamp down on money laundering operations.
Strengthening Border Security
The Act proposes significant amendments to the Customs Act to prevent drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, and auto theft. It will require certain ports of entry and exit to maintain appropriate infrastructure for inspections and enforcement activities. Furthermore, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will be empowered to access transporter-controlled premises such as warehouses to inspect goods intended for export.
In parallel, the Oceans Act will be updated to formally include security tasks in the Canadian Coast Guard's mandate. This will enable coast guard personnel to conduct patrols and gather intelligence to support maritime security efforts.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) will gain enhanced powers to share data on registered sex offenders with both domestic and international partners, strengthening global law enforcement collaboration.
Enhancing Immigration and Asylum Integrity
To safeguard the fairness and integrity of the immigration system, the Act introduces measures to prevent abuse. New rules will make certain asylum seekers ineligible under specific circumstances and improve the intake and decision-making processes for asylum claims. It will also empower officials to suspend, revoke, or refuse new immigration applications when necessary.
Additionally, the legislation will improve how Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shares data with other government bodies, helping streamline services and enforcement.
Cracking Down on Transnational Crime and Illicit Drugs
The Strong Borders Act introduces an expedited regulatory process allowing the Minister of Health to rapidly classify precursor chemicals commonly used in the production of illegal drugs like fentanyl. This change is designed to curb their import and ensure tight control over their legitimate use.
Proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, CSIS Act, and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act will modernize investigative powers, enabling law enforcement and intelligence agencies to keep pace with evolving threats. The new Supporting Authorized Access to Information Act (SAAIA) will require electronic service providers to comply with lawful requests to access or intercept communications during investigations.
To support investigations involving mail, amendments to the Canada Post Corporation Act will allow law enforcement to inspect mail when legally authorized. Canada Post will also be granted expanded inspection rights.
Disrupting Financial Crimes
To reinforce Canada’s defenses against money laundering and terrorist financing, the Act proposes tougher penalties and broader restrictions on large cash transactions and third-party deposits.
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) will be added to the Financial Institutions Supervisory Committee (FISC), facilitating greater cooperation and sharing of compliance data among financial regulators. Improved guidelines for public-private information sharing will help detect financial crimes and support the work of the newly formed Integrated Money Laundering Intelligence Partnership (IMLIP).
A Safer Future for Canada
The Strong Borders Act marks a vital milestone in the government’s commitment to public safety. More initiatives are expected in the coming months aimed at removing illegal firearms from communities, curbing violent repeat offenses, and reinforcing bail conditions for individuals charged with serious crimes like car theft, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
Comments
Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, emphasized the importance of international cooperation and domestic readiness:
“Our government remains committed to protecting Canadian communities by working hand-in-hand with the United States to fortify our border. The Strong Borders Act is a critical step in disrupting organized crime and giving law enforcement and border agencies the tools and support they need to safeguard both Canadian and American border communities.”
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Lena Metlege Diab, highlighted the government’s proactive stance on migration:
“In response to growing migration pressures, Canada is enhancing border security and making improvements to our immigration and asylum frameworks. These reforms are designed to maintain the strength and fairness of our systems while making them more adaptable and resilient in the face of emerging challenges.”
Minister of Finance and National Revenue, François-Philippe Champagne, spoke to the financial crime component of the legislation:
“This legislation sends a strong signal that Canada is serious about cracking down on financial crime. By reinforcing oversight and enforcement mechanisms, we are advancing our mission to stop money laundering and terrorist financing, and to block the movement of illicit funds.”
Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Sean Fraser, stressed the need for modern legal tools that respect rights:
“Our justice system must evolve with the changing nature of crime. The Strong Borders Act provides updated legal instruments to help law enforcement investigate serious offenses while upholding the constitutional rights of all individuals and respecting the rule of law.”
Minister of Fisheries, Joanne Thompson, explained the Canadian Coast Guard’s expanded mandate:
“By adding security responsibilities to the Coast Guard’s role, we can better safeguard our country’s expansive marine territories. Our highly capable fleet and seasoned crews are ready to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s broader national security goals.”
Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, underlined the public health urgency tied to the drug crisis:
“This legislation is a vital tool in combating the fentanyl crisis. By empowering authorities and working in collaboration with governments, Indigenous partners, public health, and police, we can help prevent overdose deaths and protect Canadian lives.”
Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, Joël Lightbound, addressed the role of Canada Post in drug enforcement:
“Our government is taking serious measures to protect Canadians’ health and safety. Changes to the Canada Post Act will close a critical gap in our ability to intercept illegal substances, helping to reduce overdoses and save lives across the country.”
Key Highlights:
- As part of Canada’s comprehensive Border Plan, the federal government is committing $1.3 billion to initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. This major investment is intended to bolster national security and safeguard communities.
- A significant portion of this funding—$200 million—has been allocated to Public Safety Canada and the Communications Security Establishment. These resources will enhance the collection of intelligence related to transnational organized crime and the illicit fentanyl trade. The improved intelligence-sharing framework will support collaboration with law enforcement agencies in both Canada and the United States.
- Additionally, the government is investing $743.5 million over a five-year period—of which $159.5 million will be permanent funding—to reinforce the asylum system. These funds are directed toward increasing the system’s capacity for processing claims and making timely decisions, ensuring its continued fairness and resilience.
- To strengthen Canada’s response to financial crime, the government has dedicated over $379 million in recent years to improve the effectiveness of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime. Legislative and regulatory reforms are also underway or already implemented. These include new tools and powers for law enforcement, stricter penalties, new criminal offenses, expanded information-sharing mechanisms, and broader coverage of at-risk sectors. Furthermore, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been granted authority to investigate trade-based money laundering.
- The CBSA plays a vital role in national security, with roughly 8,600 frontline officers stationed at 1,200 points of entry across the country. These personnel are Canada’s first line of defense, working tirelessly to stop the entry of illegal goods and individuals who are not admissible. For more details on CBSA enforcement, visit their public statistics on operational actions.
- To further strengthen public safety, the federal government is in the process of recruiting 1,000 new Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers to address key threats such as drug and human trafficking, cybercrime, foreign interference, and organized crime. At the same time, the CBSA will be enhanced with over 1,000 new hires, including border officers, intelligence professionals, specialized chemists, and up to nine new detector dog teams trained to detect illegal substances and contraband.
New Source: Click Here
|
