RCMP looks to redeploy 25 per cent of eastern region workforce, including to border

The RCMP says it's looking to redeploy up to one-quarter of its eastern region workforce to areas considered an operational priority, including to the U.S. border.

The RCMP says it's looking to redeploy up to one-quarter of its eastern region workforce to areas considered an operational priority, including to the Canada-U.S. border.

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump pledged this week to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports until more is done to stem illegal border crossings and drug trafficking. 

The threat spurred calls from premiers and opposition leaders for the federal Liberal government to do more to secure Canada's border.

Among the voices was Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who says she is considering creating a provincial border patrol.

The eastern region for the RCMP includes Quebec and the four Atlantic provinces. Only Quebec and New Brunswick border the U.S. in this region.

Cpl. Martina Pillarova, an RCMP spokesperson, said the temporary redeployment is aimed not only at supporting border integrity, but other federal policing priorities as well.

Pillarova added that this sort of move is not out of the ordinary. "Please note that so far, the situation has remained stable at the border and our operations are proceeding normally."