Premier Wab Kinew has recently announced that Manitoba conservation officers are now patrolling along the Canada-United States border to increase security.
“Our government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our southern border, and with Manitoba conservation officers joining the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency in this work, Manitoba is doing our part,” said Kinew. “Increased eyes and ears will help crack down on drug trafficking, stop unsafe crossings and potentially save lives.”
Conservation officers stationed out of Virden, Boissevain, Manitou, Winnipeg, Steinbach and Sprague are conducting border patrols as part of their work. Patrols are being conducted between ports of entry, focusing on secondary roads and backcountry areas. The province is deploying equipment such as snowmobiles, utility terrain vehicles and helicopters to support the conservation service in its work to patrol the border.
“Our conservation officers stand ready to apply our enforcement skills, deploy our patrol equipment and use our knowledge of the land to assist the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency and other enforcement agencies to take immediate action to stop the proliferation of smuggling in firearms, drugs and people across our shared border with the U.S.,” said Corey Meadows, chief conservation officer. “Our officers will uphold and enhance co-ordinated law enforcement in this shared international effort. Manitoba conservation officers are expertly trained and skilled peace officers who have authority to enforce a variety of acts and regulations in the interests of public safety and resource protection.”
Unsafe crossings, including those that occur between points of entry, can be dangerous and even deadly, noted the premier.
“This is a humanitarian effort as well as an important step to keep people safe,” said Kinew. “If there’s a child or a family in danger near the border, we’re going to make sure there’s help there. But if someone is smuggling drugs or guns, we’re going to stop them.”
Patrols will be watching for suspicious activity or activity in unusual places with a focus on identifying illegal border crossings and stopping drug trafficking. Officers will work with the RCMP to carry out activities and lay charges under the Criminal Code of Canada and the provincial Highway Traffic Act.
