OTTAWA—The country’s national police force and border watchdog say they have the resources they need—at least for now—to deal with the influx of people entering Canada illegally in search of asylum, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on March 8.
Goodale said the heads of the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency briefed the federal cabinet behind closed doors, and made no financial demands on the government.
But one what-if scenario was on everyone’s mind during a meeting that lasted about 45 minutes: hundreds of asylum seekers suddenly becoming thousands when the weather turns warm.
Several federal agencies are planning for that possibility as they contemplate the point at which an increasing number of newcomers suddenly demand both a political and an operational response.
The latter would mean more border officers, more judges to evaluate immigration claims, and more local shelter beds. Officials are also exploring whether the risk of spring flooding in Manitoba poses a threat to those crossing from the United States.
For now, however, no new resources are being requested or offered.
“At this stage, the situation is being very properly addressed by our security agencies, both the RCMP and the CBSA,” Goodale said. “If they feel there is a tool or more resources that they need to deal with the situation, they will certainly let us know.”
