Alberta Update brings you the latest news on what’s happening in your province. We will hear from Premier Danielle Smith, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis and Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon on this week’s top news: trade and tariffs, securing our borders and efforts to rebuild Jasper.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis and Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mickey Amery released the following statement on Alberta’s swift and unequivocal action to secure the shared Alberta – U.S. border:

“On Nov. 25, President Trump publicly warned that he would impose tariffs on Canada unless we take action on critical border issues, such as cracking down on drug smuggling, human trafficking and illegal border crossings.

“Yesterday, I met with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the RCMP and the Alberta Sheriffs at the Coutts border point of entry. In our meeting, we agreed on the importance of continued collaboration to ensure our border is secure.

“Our government has been clear from the beginning that we must take President Trump’s statements on border security seriously and take action immediately.

“That is why I joined a Fox News crew at the Coutts border to showcase the important work Alberta has been doing to secure the Alberta – U.S. border. This critical work includes the establishment of a new Interdiction Patrol Team (IPT) within the Alberta Sheriffs to combat drug smuggling, gun trafficking and other illegal activities along Alberta’s 298-kilometre international boundary. The IPT will be supported by:

• 51 uniformed officers equipped with carbine rifles (weapons for tactical operations).
• 10 support staff, including dispatchers and analysts.
• 4 drug patrol dogs.
• 10 cold weather surveillance drones capable of operating in high winds, with dedicated pilots.
• 4 narcotics analyzers to test for illicit drugs.

“I want to thank the federal government for accepting Alberta’s request to send a Black Hawk helicopter to the border yesterday, further demonstrating the actions we are taking to secure our border.

“We are also calling on the federal government to immediately appoint a Canadian border czar to work with the new American border czar to jointly crack down on fentanyl and illegal migrants.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

“The incoming US administration has valid concerns related to illegal activities at our shared border.

“Our government is committed to enhancing border security with Montana and the U.S. by collaborating with federal authorities to tackle cross-border crime, drugs, illegal migrants and human trafficking.

“As part of these efforts, Alberta has designated a two-kilometre-deep border zone north of the entire Alberta – US border as essential infrastructure to help protect public safety and Alberta’s economic prosperity.

“We will not stand for illegal activities that put lives and livelihoods at risk on both sides of the border.”

Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General