The union representing RCMP members is calling on Canada and the U.S. to make it easier to buy new technology, boost staffing and improve collaboration to deal with security challenges at the Canada-U.S. border.
In a news release published Tuesday, the National Police Federation says it met with Canadian and U.S. police and public safety unions to talk about illegal migration, drug and firearms smuggling and human trafficking.
The union says that the discussions helped it draft a set of recommendations for the Canadian and U.S. governments.
That includes streamlining the procurement process to buy new technologies and equipment so police can be more nimble in responding to changes in criminal trends.
The union is calling on both countries to either recruit more police or find 鈥渋nnovative ways鈥� to ensure the mental-well being of public safety officers.
Canada unveiled a $1.3-billion, six-year border security plan in December after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would hit Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs in response to what he called both countries鈥� failure to curb the illegal flow of people and drugs across the border.
Last week, the RCMP deployed two new helicopters to surveil the Canada-U.S. border.
鈥淏y fostering stronger ties and adopting a truly collaborative approach, we can create a secure and resilient border that supports public safety and economic stability,鈥� said Brian Sauv茅, president and CEO of the National Police Federation.
He said the Canada-U.S. border is 鈥渙ne of the most significant economic and security corridors in the world鈥� and that the union鈥檚 members do an 鈥渆xceptional job鈥� of protecting it with limited resources.
鈥淏y working together collaboratively across agencies and borders leveraging the expertise of those on the ground, we can better address these complex challenges,鈥� Sauv茅 said.
