Liberals Introduce Border Security Bill Focused on Fentanyl, Organized Crime, Asylum Seekers

A Canada Border Services Agency officer is silhouetted as motorists enter Canada at the Douglas-Peace Arch border crossing, in Surrey, B.C., on Aug. 9, 2021. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

The Liberal government has announced new legislation aiming to strengthen the Canada-U.S. border, which would allow border officials to cancel asylum applications, give law enforcement expanded powers to search mail and access private communications, and crack down on money laundering and fentanyl precursors.

“This legislation will ensure Canada has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime and fentanyl, and disrupt illicit financing,” Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told reporters in Ottawa after tabling the legislation on June 3.