A confidential government report warned that allowing negative rhetoric about the Canada-U.S. border to go unchecked could lead to stricter border measures, jeopardizing trade and travel between the two nations.
The report, drafted by a diplomat at Canada’s embassy in Washington in early 2024, cautioned that failing to challenge U.S. claims of a “crisis at the northern border” could damage Canada’s reputation as a secure and reliable partner.
Its release under the Access to Information Act comes at a critical moment, as the Trump administration escalates threats of tariffs over concerns about the southbound movement of migrants and illicit drugs, including fentanyl.
In response to mounting U.S. pressure, Canada unveiled a $1.3-billion border security plan in December, expanding surveillance with new drones and helicopters. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed an additional $200 million to counter organized crime at border crossings.
The report, drafted amid the U.S. presidential race, identified a pattern of exaggerated claims regarding irregular migration and fentanyl trafficking from Canada. It highlighted how American lawmakers—predominantly Republicans—mentioned the northern border over 1,000 times in public discourse last year, often in alarmist terms.
The analysis, distributed among high-ranking Canadian officials, including Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, underscored that while some concerns had a factual basis, they were frequently misrepresented or sensationalized.
It pointed to a significant increase in border apprehensions in 2022 along parts of Vermont, New York, and New Hampshire compared to 2021. However, it clarified that these figures remained a small fraction of overall U.S. border crossings and failed to account for pandemic-era travel disruptions.
Similarly, the report dismissed claims that fentanyl from Canada represented a major drug threat, noting that it accounted for less than one per cent of the total fentanyl seized at U.S. borders. Moreover, it highlighted that fentanyl was also being smuggled into Canada from the U.S.
“The truth is that the Canada-U.S. border functions extremely well,” the report stated, emphasizing strong cooperation between Public Safety Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the RCMP, and their U.S. counterparts.
Despite this, the report acknowledged the potential political consequences of heightened U.S. rhetoric. It noted that Democratic senators from New Hampshire had also expressed concerns about irregular crossings, adding to bipartisan pressure for border security enhancements.
While the construction of a border wall remains unlikely, the report warned that sustained negative rhetoric could lead to increased restrictions, reminiscent of the post-9/11 era.
To safeguard Canada’s interests, the report urged officials to take a proactive approach in countering misleading narratives.
“Canadian officials should seize every opportunity—whether in conversations with lawmakers, media commentators, or border community leaders—to reinforce that our shared border is one of the safest and most efficiently managed in the world.”