Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained Alberta Sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.
Called the Interdiction Patrol Team, or IPT, the unit will include 51 officers, K-9 teams and drones in order to prevent all “illegal cross-border activity.”
The provincial government has invested $29 million into the creation of the team.
The plan also includes the establishment of a two-kilometre-long zone along the border where any sheriff can arrest anyone believed to be attempting to illegally cross the border or trafficking drugs or weapons.
The move is in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods if Canada does not take action on illegal immigration and drug trafficking at its border.
The same ultimatum was given to Mexico.
(With files from the Canadian Press)