Canada sending Black Hawks, drones to border as the clock to pacify Trump ticks down [Video]

With U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration just days away, the federal government announced it is sending a slew of drones and two leased Black Hawk helicopters to the shared border to begin beefed-up patrols.

It’s an 11th-hour move to placate the new administration. 

“We are hopeful — and remain hopeful — that the new incoming administration will understand just how incredibly serious we are on this northern border,” said Public Safety Minister David McGuinty during a news conference Wednesday.

Ottawa introduced $1.3 billion in spending in December’s fall economic statement aimed at disrupting the flow of fentanyl and strengthening 24/7 surveillance of the Canada-U.S. border.

The drive to bolster border security follows Trump’s threat to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods, which he says is needed in response to concerns about border security, migrants and illegal drugs, especially fentanyl.

McGuinty, flanked by the head of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and a senior RCMP official, said Wednesday the …