Provinces take charge at the border as Trudeau's leadership falters

In Canada, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for what he described as a leadership void at the Canada-U.S. border. During a statement made after an emergency meeting between Trudeau and the Premiers, Poilievre highlighted issues such as illegal border crossings and the transformation of Quebec’s Roxham Road into an unofficial entry point for asylum seekers as evidence of Trudeau's failures in border management. The situation has escalated, especially in light of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's recent pledge to impose tariffs due to accusations regarding illegal migration and drug smuggling. This has put additional pressure on Canada’s federal government and has led to action by provincial leaders. Alberta’s Premier Danielle Smith announced plans for enhanced border patrolling, while Ontario’s Doug Ford discussed partnerships with law enforcement agencies to improve border security. Meanwhile, Quebec's Premier François Legault stated his province’s police would begin to patrol the U.S.-Canada border, marking a significant shift in responsibility. Critics, including Poilievre, view this patchwork approach by various provinces as a desperate measure to address the failures at the federal level. As a response to the growing concerns about border security and Trump's tariff threats, the federal government has pledged increased funding to the Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, though details on the spending remain vague. The issue has drawn attention as U.S. Customs and Border Protection figures reveal a significant increase in attempted illegal crossings from Canada into the U.S., even if these numbers are still far lower than those seen at the Mexico border.