Border Security: Jointly Safeguarding Our Shared Boundaries

Key Chapter Title List

1. Canada Strengthens Border Security
2. Detecting and Combating Fentanyl Trade
3. Providing Critical New Tools for Law Enforcement
4. Enhancing Operational Coordination
5. Increasing Information Sharing
6. Reducing Unnecessary Border Traffic
7. Combating Drug Trafficking
8. Preventing Firearms Smuggling
9. Addressing Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking
10. 2024 Fentanyl Seizures and Illegal Border Crossing Data
11. Our Shared Goal

Document Introduction

This report systematically assesses the latest cooperation dynamics and strategic upgrades between Canada and the United States in maintaining the security of the world's longest land border. As a critical corridor with approximately 400,000 daily person movements and $2.5 billion in daily trade, the security and efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border are vital to the overall prosperity and stability of North America. Based on the latest official policy documents and operational data released from late 2024 to early 2025, the report aims to provide professional readers with an authoritative analysis of the evolution of the bilateral border security governance mechanism.

The report first details the Border Security Enhancement Action Plan announced by Canada in December 2024. This plan is built around five pillars: using artificial intelligence, portable X-ray machines, and new chemical detection tools to precisely target illegal drug trade such as fentanyl; establishing an Air Intelligence Task Force and expanding port facility authorities to empower law enforcement; significantly enhancing cross-border operational coordination by establishing a Canada-U.S. Joint Task Force and three regional hubs; deepening intelligence sharing with U.S. and international partners to intercept high-risk individuals and goods; and optimizing border flow management to reduce non-essential traffic through measures such as ending "flagpoling" and strengthening document controls.

The report delves into the practices and effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in addressing specific security challenges. On the drug issue, despite the devastating consequences of the fentanyl abuse crisis in both countries, data shows that Canada is not a primary source of fentanyl for the United States. The report highlights how both countries, through mechanisms such as the "North American Drug Dialogue" and the "Trilateral Fentanyl Committee," jointly address the common challenge of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China. Regarding firearms smuggling, the report presents successful case studies of joint operations like the "Cross-Border Firearms Task Force" and "Project Money Leopard," noting that 79% of firearms seized in Canada in 2023 were traceable to the United States, underscoring the importance of source control and collaborative tracking.

In the areas of illegal immigration and human trafficking, the report analyzes the policy impact of extending the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement to the entire land border (including internal waterways such as the Great Lakes). Citing specific data, the report illustrates that Canada's measures—including reinstating partial visa requirements for Mexican citizens, strengthening visa screening, and combating fraud—have reduced the flow of Mexicans illegally entering the U.S. via Canada by approximately 70% and decreased the number of non-genuine visitors to Canada illegally entering the U.S. by 89% in the second half of 2024. Concurrently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police successfully dismantled a cross-border human trafficking ring involving over a hundred individuals, demonstrating the effectiveness of law enforcement cooperation.

The report concludes by reiterating the ultimate goal of bilateral cooperation: to keep the border open to legitimate trade and travel while keeping it closed to terrorists and criminals. Through close daily law enforcement and intelligence collaboration, both countries are jointly committed to safeguarding the perimeter security of North America, embodying the interdependent security concept that "a secure Canadian border is a secure American border." This report provides detailed case studies and data support for understanding the bilateral response model to contemporary complex cross-border security threats.