Canada | Strong Borders Act introduced to enhance border security

The Minister of Public Safety introduced the Strong Borders Act to secure Canadian borders against transnational organized crime, the flow of illegal fentanyl and money laundering.

Key Points:

• The bill aims to secure the border by:
  • Amending the Customs Act to ensure points of entry have the appropriate facilities to examine exports for illicit drugs and weapons and allowing the Canada Border Services Agency access for examination
  • Amending the Oceans Act to increase coast guard resources
  • Introducing new eligibility rules and procedures to the asylum claims process
• The bill also hopes to combat crime committed via border crossings by:
  • Increasing federal oversight over the chemicals used to produce illicit drugs like fentanyl
  • Increasing government authorization over communication channels, including the ability to intercept electronic communications and open mail
  • Increasing penalties for money laundering and introducing restrictions on large cash transactions and deposits

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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