Canada sending Blackhawks, drones to border as the clock to pacify Trump ticks down

With U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration just days away, the federal government announced it is sending a slew of drones and two Blackhawk helicopters to the shared border to begin beefed-up patrols — along with 11th-hour hope it will be enough to placate the incoming administration. 

"We are hopeful — and remain hopeful — that the new incoming administration will understand just how incredibly serious we are on this northern border," said new Public Safety Minister David McGuinty during a news conference Wednesday.

Ottawa introduced $1.3 billion in spending in December's fall economic statement aimed at disrupting the flow of fentanyl and strengthening 24/7 surveillance of the Canada-U.S. border.

The drive to bolster border security follows Trump's threat to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods, which he says is needed in response to concerns about border security, migrants and illegal drugs, especially fentanyl.

McGuinty, flanked by the head of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and a senior RCMP official, said Wednesday the government has already deployed 60 new drones and is setting up surveillance towers near the 8,891-kilometre border.

Deputy Commissioner Bryan Larkin said the RCMP leased two Blackhawk helicopters, which will be in use starting Friday for enhanced surveillance.

The government is also acquiring new technology, such as X-rays and hand-held chemical analyzers to curb drug smuggling, said McGuinty. He added that the amount of fentanyl seized by the U.S. at its northern border represents a small fraction from what's observed at the southern border.

"We have an obligation to be relentless in pursuing our relationship with the United States, and, from time to time, in debunking information which is not accurate," he said. 

The news conference and itemized shopping haul comes as fears intensify that Trump's tariff threat will become a reality for Canada.

In November, Trump threatened to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, starting on Jan. 20 — his inauguration day — unless the countries curb the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders.

Just after Christmas, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc flew to Florida to brief the presidential transition team on the government's plan for improving border security and to make the case that Trump's threat of steep tariffs on all Canadian exports to the U.S. would damage both countries' economies.

However, officials around Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are increasingly worried that the U.S. president-elect's mind is made up, and he will make good on his threat.

The border issue will be raised later Wednesday when the premiers gather in Ottawa to meet with Trudeau.

"We're not interested in drama," McGuinty said Wednesday. "We're interested in making progress and showing the newly elected American government that we're serious about our border relationship."