The province is investing $32.5 million to help prevent illegal drugs, firearms, and other contraband from coming into the province.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner shared the news during a press conference on Tuesday in Windsor’s Sandwich Town area.
“We’re giving the police the tools they need to stop illegal guns, drugs and organized crime before they reach our communities,” Kerzner told reporters.
“Because we know every illegal firearm or shipment of drugs intercepted at the border is one less threat to Ontario families.”
This funding kicks off Operation Deterrence 2.0, Kerzner explained, which is a new phase of Ontario’s strengthened border security plan that was introduced in January 2025 following concerns raised by the Trump Administration about drugs entering the U. S. from Canada.
“When President Trump raised concerns about border security, we didn’t point fingers or make excuses,” Kerzner said.
Funding for two new programs
“We stepped up because secure and safe borders are in the best interests of both countries.”
The operation started with OPP deploying their 200-officer emergency response team to boost border security.
A significant portion of the new funding – $30 million total – will be allocated for a border security grant aimed at assisting municipal and First Nations police services in acquiring specialized equipment like drones, marine vessels, radar systems, thermal imaging cameras, surveillance technology, and secure intelligence tools, according to a news release from the province issued Tuesday.
This fund will be accessible to municipalities and First Nations with direct international borders or strategic waterway access, it stated.
Windsor Police Chief Jason Crowley speaks to reporters on Aug. 11, 2026, as the province announces $32.5 million for border security programs. (Ken Amlin/CBC)
The remaining $2.5 million will support a border integrity investigative fund focused on investigating illegal firearms trafficking, drug smuggling, organized crime activities and other cross-border criminal operations.
Windsor Police Service Chief Jason Crowley told reporters that they aim to use this funding to acquire marine vessels and drones as first responders.
Currently, they have two boats available; one is more suited for winter conditions than the other he noted.
“They’re well suited for the river,” Crowley said.
“But you know, right now we’re in Amherstburg, and …the only boat available to us at this time is an OPP boat that can navigate waters like Lake Erie. So that could be an opportunity.”
Crowley also mentioned that this new funding might be used to replace older vessels when needed.
This money adds onto funds for helicopters
The Windsor police already have some drones available but previously existing laws requiring operators to keep visual contact with them made it difficult for them to be used as first responders according to Crowley.
This legislation has changed now allowing police departments more flexibility in deploying drones during calls while assessing if additional police presence is necessary.”
Crowley added that they’re addressing privacy issues related to this technology:
“It would certainly be no different from… any other investigation when it comes down to judicial authorizations,” he said.
“For instance we won’t be spying through people’s windows or backyards without proper judicial authorization.”
This fresh funding comes on top of a $57 million allocation in the 2025 budget meant for two H‐135 helicopters intended for use by Windsor Police Service as well as Niagara Regional Police Service and West Region OPP according to statements from the province.
The helicopters will enhance patrols along key border crossings and throughout areas adjacent to the U. S. border,
The Operation Deterrence initiative has already helped trace over 550 illegal firearms including more than 440 connected with U. S. outlets based on reports released by the province.
Additionally it has led law enforcement officials seizing over 4 thousand kilograms of cocaine alongside nearly 190 kilograms of fentanyl.
Crowley emphasized how crucial strong borders are for local safety within Windsor pointing out Project Bay as an example illustrating efforts made towards protecting these boundaries:
“Together with our law enforcement partners we’ve seized seventeen firearms plus almost one point seven tonnes worth of illicit substances,” he declared.
“It stands out as among largest seizures recorded within provincial history That’s why effective border enforcement holds significance which makes grant resources invaluable particularly regarding cities bordering Ontario.”
Source link
