Danielle Smith announces new team to patrol Alberta-U.S. border

Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.

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Called the Interdiction Patrol Team, or IPT, the unit will include 51 officers, four K-9 teams, 10 support staff and 10 "cold weather surveillance" drones in order to prevent all "illegal cross-border activity."

The provincial government has invested $29 million into the creation of the team.

"This suite of measures will curb illegal border activities and strengthen our nation's border security," Smith said during Thursday's announcement in Calgary.

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.

Alberta's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said he's kept border security at the top of his mind since he took office and the IPT is the government's "proactive response" to the challenge.

He said that work was being done to create the team even before Trump announced his tariff threat.

"We had already done a lot of pre-planning here," Ellis said. "As far as the training of the officers, when they would be deployed, we were looking at the March type of area.

"This was always part of the plan."

Smith said she revealed plans to create the IPT to the other premiers a few weeks ago, building on the work that had begun in July 2023.

The premier said she's also communicated with Montana Gov. Greg Gianoforte.

"I've asked my public safety minister to coordinate with their attorney-general, which is the equivalent position in the U.S., in order to be able to make sure we've got cross-border collaboration and information sharing."

Further meetings are planned, Smith said, adding that B.C. Premier David Eby and Sask. Premier Scott Moe will also be invited to attend.

When it comes to policing large regions of land, often privately owned, Ellis said he hopes landowners will be amenable given the big picture of border safety.

"Regardless of who you are, I think most people understand the importance of border security. I think most people understand the concerns regarding illegal drugs, illegal guns and the concern regarding human trafficking.

"I would hope that we would work very collaboratively with private property owners but, make no mistake, our friends in law enforcement will abide by the law."

Scott MacCumber, mayor of the village of Coutts, says his community is in support of anything that helps boost border security.

"We always have the RCMP patrolling the border here so what happens in Coutts is when anyone sees anyone suspicious or crossing the border, they will make a call to the RCMP."

He said since Coutts is a port of entry, border security is always going to be an issue, but his residents know what to do if something ever happens.

MacCumber doesn't believe the new unit will impact any traffic at the Coutts crossing.

The Alberta government expects to have the IPT fully operational by early 2025.

(With files from the Canadian Press)