Premier Scott Moe has previously touted increasing border security, saying all Canadians can agree it should addressed. (CJME file photo)

By Lisa Schick/CKOM News Staff

Sask. introduces border security plan in wake of Trump tariff threat

Jan 14, 2025 | 11:52 AM

In the wake of tariff threats from incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, Premier Scott Moe on Tuesday unveiled a new Saskatchewan Border Security Plan.

“Our government is taking immediate steps to increase border integrity, ensuring the Saskatchewan-U.S. border is secure and our communities are safe,” said Moe in a news release.

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The plan includes redeploying 16 officers from conservation, highway patrol and canine teams to do patrols and conduct public safety campaigns near the U.S. border.

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The officers wouldn’t take over responsibility for securing the border, which remains federal jurisdiction. Instead, the officers would patrol within the province in areas north of the border, and complement federal enforcement.

The teams would have a raft of equipment at their disposal – up to 16 patrol cars, drones, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and three planes.

In the plan, the province would also have the ability to offer up to 95 officers to support federal efforts if there was significant illegal activity at the border.

Other initiatives the provincial government will consider include creating a border integrity and intervention team under the Saskatchewan Marshals Service, which is expected to be operational this summer. That plan could also include expanding the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Teams and its mandate, and prioritizing it and other teams’ enforcement efforts.

“Members of our Provincial Protective Services team will work with existing federal and provincial agencies to strengthen border security through high visibility surveillance, commercial vehicle enforcement and remote area patrols,” Tim McLeod, Saskatchewan’s corrections, policing and public safety minister, said in a news release.

When Trump first brought up his plan to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods, he said it was because of drugs and illegal immigration flowing south through the U.S. border.

Though Moe opposed the tariff plan, saying it would be bad for Saskatchewan, he did tout improving border security, saying that when your largest trading partner has concerns, they should be addressed.

Most recently, Trump has shifted his concerns to focus on a trade deficit between Canada and the U.S.

More to come.