Federal government commits $86M to protect border security

The Federal government is spending $86 million to beef up security at Canadian borders and crack down on gun violence.

The RCMP will receive $34.5 million of the funding announced Thursday and the Canada Border Services Agency will receive $51.5 million.

“Today’s announcement will allow the RCMP and CBSA to take significant steps forward in the fight against gun and gang violence,” said Ralph Goodale, the minister of Public and Emergency Preparedness, in a press release.

The RCMP will spend more than $30 million on an Integrated Criminal Firearms Initiative (ICFI).  This will provide more tools for investigations, training, inspections, technology, and intelligence.

The CBSA will invest in an all-weather detector dog training facility, deploy new dog teams at key highway crossings, expand x-ray technology at postal centres and air cargo facilities, and provide training on the detection of concealed goods in vehicles crossing our borders.