Two of the premiers who have been at the forefront of Canada’s border security enhancements have called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to name a fentanyl czar. A week has passed since he made the commitment to appointing a czar, and only three weeks remain in the country’s temporary reprieve from tariffs.
“Enough’s enough,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who argued that while his provincial government was making serious border enhancements, the Liberals were asleep at the wheel.
“I’m done with the talking; let’s show some action,” he said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith sided with Ford, calling for action in Ottawa.
“Alberta is perplexed and concerned by the delay in appointing this Fentanyl czar and calls on the federal government to do so without further delay,” said Smith.
She added that there is a lot of work to be done, which would be easier to accomplish with a federal lead coordinating the national response.
Smith reiterated that all 13 premiers would be travelling to Washington, D.C. on a diplomatic mission to resolve the tariffs permanently.
“It is incumbent upon the prime minister to appoint the border czar in the coming days to support the premiers’ and his own ministers’ efforts in this regard,” she said.
Canada was granted a one-month reprieve from President Donald Trump’s 25-per-cent tariff on all Canadian imports after Trudeau made various promises on how he would enhance border security. Some of the promises mirrored those made earlier by Mexico, which resulted in them being granted a similar reprieve.
As for who should be named fentanyl czar, Smith recommended her Deputy Minister Paul Wynnyk, a former lieutenant-general who served in the army for 38 years.
“That’s the kind of person we need: someone who understands military operations, who understands deployment, who understands the seriousness with which we have to take this issue,” said Smith.
Ford had a different recommendation, calling on former Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada Rick Hillier to be named fentanyl czar.
“General Hillier was the one who stepped up during the pandemic,” said Ford. “He is no-nonsense. Gets it done.”
But Ford wasn’t too firm in his recommendations. He called on the Liberals to name any general or any former police chief as the fentanyl czar as long as they got it done fast.
Smith was the first Canadian leader to call for a border czar to be appointed. She was also the first premier to unveil a border security plan and enhancements, following various premiers calling for improved security to respond to Trump’s tariffs.
Ontario followed suit with border enhancements, deploying 200 officers to its shared border with the U.S.
B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said that his province already has a fentanyl czar.
“Her name is Doctor Bonnie Henry, and she is focused on promoting fentanyl use in B.C.,” said Rustad. “Hopefully, Canada’s new national fentanyl czar is focused on stopping fentanyl instead of promoting it.”
Ford revealed some promising early results just one day after Ontario’s border enhancements were announced. He said 21 illegal firearms were already seized, as well as 624 kilograms of cocaine. Additionally, seven stolen vehicles were recovered, and eight illegal border crossers were intercepted.
Alongside her call for a fentanyl czar, Smith reiterated her demand for a federal election to be held immediately after the Liberal Party of Canada’s leadership race concludes on Mar. 9. The winner of the race will become the prime minister without a general election.
True North reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office but received no reply.
