Canada-U.S. partnership to tackle firearm smuggling and trafficking

Mar 31, 2021 | 12:16 PM

OTTAWA, ONT – The Governments of Canada and the United States of America hope to stop the illegal importation and sale of firearms across the national border.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will lead efforts to create a cross-border task force, which was a joint promise from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden.

“This new task force will deal with gun smuggling on both sides of our border. It will further use the skills and expertise of law enforcement to keep our communities safe. Our partnership with the United States and the sharing of information will be key to our success in keeping illegal guns out of Canada,” says Bill Blair, Minister of Public Security and Emergency Preparedness.

The task force will ensure that law enforcement personnel on both sides of the border benefit from shared intelligence, information, and partnerships. The goal is to detect and intercept the illegal movement of firearms.

The CBSA will further leverage its relationships with other agencies including the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Public Safety Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and various Canadian police forces.

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“Together with its US partners, the Government of Canada remains committed to tackling illegal cross-border travel and trade, while ensuring that the movement of essential workers and goods continues unimpeded,” reads a statement from the Government of Canada. “The CBSA’s efforts to launch this task force, as well as its ongoing work to address firearms smuggling, contribute to the safety of both Canada and the US.”

If you have any information on cross-border activity, phone the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

by David Opinko