Doug Ford is pushing for Windsor to get a helicopter to help in patrolling the border alongside the Detroit River.
Lately, Ontario mentioned it was committing tens of millions to purchase a handful of choppers within the Toronto-area and Ottawa.
Ontario’s premier now says it is “extraordinarily necessary” to guard the border, and that he is directed the solicitor common to discover the prices of patrolling all over the place from Windsor to Niagara.
“We will assist them, probably with a helicopter,” Ford mentioned to reporters.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford attends a information convention at Queen’s Park Legislature in Toronto on Thursday December 12, 2024. (Chris Younger/The Canadian Press)
Windsor’s mayor agrees, saying the area wants extra assist monitoring the border.
“I believe we would respect extra assist … with air assist as a result of it is a big house,” mentioned Drew Dilkens.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says he’d welcome extra border assets, like a helicopter, for the border metropolis. (Chris Ensing/ Ontario Chronicle)
“You want that sort of funding, that sort of expertise within the air to assist the border aspect.”
Windsor, which overlooks Detroit alongside the river, presently has two main crossings: the Ambassador Bridge and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. A 3rd crossing is quickly on the way in which. The Gordie Howe Worldwide Bridge is ready to open within the fall of 2025.
Canadian politicians proceed to scramble for heightened border management measures since U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on items coming in from Canada and Mexico, until the international locations stopped what he referred to as an “invasion” of medicine and “unlawful aliens.”
WATCH | Trump’s mass deportation pledge raises fears of enhance in Detroit-Windsor border swimmers:
Trump’s mass deportation pledge raises fears of enhance in Detroit-Windsor border swimmers
Will Donald Trump’s promised mass deportation of undocumented immigrants push determined individuals to illegally cross the Detroit River? Peter Berry, harbour grasp of the Windsor Port Authority, is nervous about it. CBC’s Dalson Chen spoke with Berry and Ian Smith of the Windsor detachment of RCMP.
Final month, Windsor’s harbour grasp instructed Ontario Chronicle he is nervous a few potential uptick in individuals attempting to illegally cross the Detroit River.
Peter Berry, of the Windsor Port Authority, mentioned he expects individuals will likely be extra determined to attempt to swim throughout, with Trump promising to enact mass deportations of undocumented immigrants.
“These are individuals who have a purpose, a vacation spot in thoughts, the place they cannot meet common crossing necessities at a border level,” he mentioned.
“I’m seeing issues I didn’t see this time final yr.”
