Nearly a dozen Manitoba conservation officers are now patrolling the Canada-U.S. border, supporting the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in enhancing enforcement along the international boundary. The officers, stationed in Virden, Boissevain, Manitou, Winnipeg, Steinbach, and Sprague, have been conducting border patrols for several weeks, focusing on secondary roads and backcountry areas between ports of entry.
The Manitoba government has invested in specialized equipment such as snowmobiles, utility terrain vehicles, and helicopters to aid these efforts. Speaking on PR 243, Premier Wab Kinew reaffirmed his government’s commitment to improving border security, highlighting the importance of safe communities and humanitarian efforts.
Kinew referenced past tragedies, such as the Patel family freezing to death in 2022 while attempting to cross the border southward, and a recent incident involving individuals intercepted traveling north into Canada, ill-prepared for the winter conditions. These events underline the importance of balancing border security with compassion.
The conservation officers will not cross existing jurisdictional boundaries but will provide critical information to the RCMP and CBSA, acting as an additional layer of surveillance to address potential criminal activities, such as drug trafficking. The government has also invested $460,000 in overtime for Manitoba RCMP officers and expanded the role of motor carrier enforcement officials near the border.
Premier Kinew emphasized that this collaborative approach ensures a more secure border while maintaining humanitarian values, showcasing Manitoba’s proactive response to both security and humanitarian concerns.
Swifteradio.com
