In a surprising twist, Canada is stepping up its border security efforts in response to the rhetoric of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The Canadian government has announced a leasing agreement for two Black Hawk helicopters designated for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and plans to enhance the fleet of border-patrolling drones. This move comes amid increasing discussions surrounding fentanyl trafficking and illegal migration, with headlines reflecting the urgency to pacify Trump’s demands.

The overall boost to border-security is not entirely new. Last month, the Canadian government unveiled a $1.3 billion border security initiative in its fall economic statement. However, many observers might have overlooked this announcement in light of the political turbulence surrounding it.

Echoing sentiments from various quarters, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper pointed out that the United States should focus more on the flow of guns, drugs, and crime coming from Canada rather than worrying solely about issues crossing from the U.S. northward. Harper emphasized his concerns about Trump’s approach, likening it to an unfriendly posture towards Canada.

Despite these escalating discussions about security, it raises a critical question: Why did it take Trump’s louder-than-life persona to prompt Canada to take significant steps towards border security? Statistics indicate a troubling trend—Canada’s shooting homicides underwent a steep rise from 134 in 2013 to 343 in 2023. Furthermore, the percentage of those homicides committed with handguns surged from 28 percent in 1974 to 65 percent in 2018.

In response to increasing discontent regarding border security, the Liberal government has focused on legislating against certain types of firearms, specifically “assault weapons.” Yet, critics suggest that these measures do little to address the real issues at hand, especially when it’s estimated that criminal firearms are largely smuggled into Canada. Interestingly, Ontario police have reported that approximately 85 percent of crime guns originate from south of the border, exacerbating the gun violence problem.

While enhancing border patrols with military-grade helicopters might seem like a step in the right direction, questions remain about the effectiveness of such investments. Recent purchases of Black Hawk helicopters by other nations averaged between $90 million to $110 million each. This raises concerns over whether the funds could be better allocated towards effective community-based programs aimed at reducing gun violence and addressing gang-related activities.

Additionally, as Canada gears up for more substantial border cooperation with the U.S., there have been recent successes in collaboration. The U.S. Border Patrol alerted the RCMP about illegal border crossings, resulting in arrests and the discovery of prohibited firearms and ammunition in Saskatchewan. These efforts demonstrate that cross-border collaboration can yield tangible results in improving national security.

Ultimately, while Canadians should appreciate the steps being taken to bolster border security, they may also wish to reflect on why it took external pressure from figures like Trump to initiate such actions. As the dynamics of U.S.-Canada relations continue to evolve, can Canada find a proactive approach to border security—regardless of who occupies the White House? Only time will tell.