Fentanyl Czar to Act as Coordinator; 10 Teams of Joint Strike Force to Be Deployed: Minister

Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty speaks with RCMP Assistant Commissioner and Northwest Region Commander Lisa Moreland (R) and an RCMP Emergency Response Team member at the Canada/U.S. border in Emerson, Man., on Feb. 4, 2025. The Canadian Press/David Lipnowski

Public Safety Minister David McGuinty has provided additional details about the new security measures announced by his government that delayed the imposition of tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We’re going to be appointing our first fentanyl czar—the words are chosen carefully, fentanyl czar— who will serve as the main interlocutor between the Canadian and U.S. governments, and we'll enhance our collaboration in combating fentanyl,” McGuinty said while visiting the Emerson port of entry in Manitoba on Feb. 4.