The federal government has made a major funding aimed at combatting gun and gang violence across Canada. $86 million has been earmarked for the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency.
Over five years, $51.5 million will be provided to the CBSA for an all-weather detector dog training facility, new dog teams at key highway crossings, the expansion of x-ray technology at postal centres and air cargo facilities, and for training on the detection of concealed goods in vehicles crossing the border.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale, says the goal is to help the CBSA prevent firearms from coming into the country illegally. "It's crucial that they have the very best tools and training available to interrupt the flow of smuggled and trafficked firearms. The funding announced today will provide the enhanced support they need for detection, operations, technology and training."
In 2017, the Canada Border Services Agency had 467 seizures of firearms, an increase of nearly 19% from the overall number of firearms seized in 2016.