Alberta RCMP say they’ve started patrolling the U.S. border with Black Hawk helicopters to track illegal activities, such as drug traffickers and illegal immigration.
The move comes as U.S. tariffs are expected to be put in place on Feb. 1.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would put 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico, saying the two countries haven’t taken enough action to stop flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States through their borders.
Ottawa pledged $1.3 billion to increase border security. The plan includes the deployment of RCMP helicopters, new drones, and additional surveillance towers.
Alberta also announced it would spend $29 million on border security efforts, which includes a sheriff-led patrol unit with 51 uniformed officers, four drug patrol dogs, 10 support staff, and four narcotics analyzers to test for drugs and surveillance drones.
RCMP said patrols at the U.S.–Alberta border started on Jan. 28.
Related Stories
Police will be on board the helicopters as they patrol the area to respond to illegal activity sighted. Officers in vehicles will also be patrolling the border.
“The range and speed of the Black Hawk allows it to be deployed very quickly to any location along the Alberta border; providing the RCMP with an enhanced rapid-response capability within the province,” said RCMP Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland, regional commander of federal policing in the Northwest region.
She described the helicopters as “very important air assets” that will help secure the border.
Those living in the border area may hear and see the helicopters regularly, RCMP said, adding that it is part of “normal police operations” and there was no need for concerns over public safety.
On Jan. 22, RCMP said they had purchased two additional Black Hawk helicopters to add to their fleet of nine.
Six of those helicopters will be used in border patrol operations.
The helicopters are equipped with thermal imaging and one is capable of hoisting operations, according to RCMP.
RCMP said they cannot provide details on where the helicopters are based or where they will be deployed to protect operational integrity.
The price tag for the two additional helicopters was $5.3 million, police said.
Smith Calls for Border Czar
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith thanked the federal government for sending the helicopters to the border, in comments at an unrelated news conference on Jan. 29.
Smith has also called for a border czar to be appointed who would work with U.S. border czar Tom Homan.
She said ideally it would be a retired general as they would be “someone who understands military operations, who understands deployment, who understands the seriousness with which we have to take this issue.”
Securing the border is the best way for Canada to avoid tariffs, she said.
However, Smith said that she does not expect it would prevent tariffs, but that it will show the United States that Canada is serious about its partnership.
“I think there will be other things that we will need to work on, and we will do so. But I am convinced, after speaking with dozens of elected U.S. representatives, administration officials, and the president himself, that this is the most important first step.”
She said she hoped it would be acted upon by Feb. 1.
Quebec Patrols
Quebec RCMP showed off Black Hawk helicopters on Jan. 30, saying they will help patrol the U.S. border in that province.
Sgt. Charles Poirier said the new helicopters would help police cover a vast area, adding they would also be useful in faster responses if there is a spike in border crossings.
The Canadian Press and Reuters contributed to this article.
English (US) · 
Turkish (TR) · 