The Smith government has announced plans to spend $29 million on a new Alberta-Montana border protection unit made up of sheriffs and specialized equipment.
Whether the in-coming American administration will decided to forgo threatened tariffs in response to the formation of the new border unit remains to be seen.
What is known is that Albertans and Alberta businesses, including in this district, will expect the Smith government to fight hard for provincial interests, even if that involves economic counter measures should the threatened tariffs go forward.
For her part, Premier Danielle Smith says the new border unit will re-assure U.S. interests.
“By establishing the new team of sheriffs at our southern border, we are actively working to address security concerns and stop the criminals whose activities are destroying lives on both sides of the border,” said premier Danielle Smith.
Made up of 51 uniformed officers equipped with carbine rifles, the new Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) will target drug smuggling, gun trafficking and other illegal activities taking place along the 298-kilometre border.
The unit will also be equipped with patrol dogs, cold weather surveillance drones and four narcotics analyzers to test illicit drugs.
As part of the effort, the province is also creating a two kilometre-deep critical border zone, deemed critical infrastructure, where officers will be able to arrest individuals attempting to cross the border or attempting to traffic illegal drugs or weapons, without needing a warrant.
Mike Ellis, minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, said, “We are sending a clear message to prospective offenders that criminal activity, such as fentanyl trafficking, will not be tolerated at our boarders or anywhere else in our province.”
Having a secure and open provincial border is in the interest of Alberta families and Alberta businesses, including the agriculture, forestry and oil and gas industries.
That said, if this new patrol unit proves unsuccessful in preventing new American tariffs, Albertans will expect the Smith government to take other actions, including possibly those involving exports, in support of provincial interests.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
