OTTAWA — The RCMP plans to create a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of Canada's border using helicopters, drones and surveillance towers. The move is part of the federal government's $1.3-billion upgrade to border security and monitoring to appease U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's concerns about the flow of migrants and illegal drugs. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican exports to the U.S.
as soon as he is inaugurated next month unless both countries move to improve border security. Canada will also propose to the United States the creation of a North American'joint strike force' to target organized crime groups that work across borders. In addition, the government intends to provide new technology, tools and resources to the Canada Border Services Agency to seek out deadly fentanyl using chemical detection, artificial intelligence and canine teams. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc told a news conference Tuesday he has discussed parts of the plan with American officials and that he is optimistic about its reception. 'We have a lot of work ahead of us,' said LeBlanc, who tried to play down the notion Canada was simply bowing to American demands. 'The fight against fentanyl is very much a fight that Canadians want to have because of its impact in Canada,' he said.'Deepening, strengthening, being more visible in the posture at the border is something that we're happy to do with our American partners.' The announcement followed a promise in the fall economic statement Monday to earmark the money over six fiscal years for the RCMP, the border agency, Public Safety Canada and the cyberspies at the Communications Security Establishmen