Key Takeaways
- Canadian officials have been working to crack down on illicit drug production in the country, driven in part by US President Donald Trump’s assertions that Canada wasn’t doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US.
- A "fentanyl czar" was appointed to coordinate agencies’ response to drug enforcement, and drug seizures have been regularly reported.
- The appointment of the fentanyl czar acknowledges the transnational nature of drug production in Canada, with connections to Southeast Asia, China, and other countries.
- Efforts to address the issue of Canadian drug production include reducing drug supply, curbing demand, and securing borders.
- Changes to laws, such as addressing money laundering and the length of criminal trials, are needed to further deal with the issue.
Introduction to the Issue
Canadian officials have been making efforts to show that they are cracking down on illicit drug production in the country. This has been driven in part by US President Donald Trump’s tariff war, which was justified by Trump’s assertions that Canada wasn’t doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US. As a result, a "fentanyl czar" was appointed to coordinate agencies’ response to drug enforcement, and drug seizures have been regularly reported. The Liberal government’s border security bill includes provisions about cracking down on drug precursor chemicals and more surveillance powers for police.
The Transnational Nature of Drug Production
According to Neil Boyd, a professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University’s criminology school, the appointment of the fentanyl czar shows an acknowledgement of the transnational nature of drug production in Canada. Boyd notes that there are connections between Southeast Asia, China, and Canada, and that organized crime groups in these countries work together to produce and distribute drugs. The fentanyl czar, Kevin Brosseau, has also pointed out the increasingly transnational nature of drug production in Canada. Boyd says that Trump’s claims around fentanyl flowing south of the border in significant numbers aren’t rooted in fact, but have allowed for a focus on cartels and transnational organizations that are contributing to domestic drug production.
Drug Seizures and Production
During a recent media availability announcing a massive fentanyl seizure, intelligence officials said they believe that Canada isn’t a major exporter of the drug. Rather, they say that Canada has a "domestic issue" with the opioid, which has been blamed for a majority of deaths from toxic drugs in British Columbia. However, Boyd notes that whether Canada is an exporter of drugs largely depends on the drug in question, and that methamphetamine remains one that is exported in large quantities. A spokesperson for the Australian Federal Police told CBC News that methamphetamine was seized in large quantities from Canada over the last five years.
Laws and Regulations
Boyd says that there should be efforts to address the length of criminal trials to further deal with the issue of Canadian drug production. Trials are taking far too long, and this is a consequence of the need for police and prosecutors to get all their ducks in a row with respect to disclosing relevant information prior to trial. Boyd suggests that laws should be changed to make disclosure a more explicit and easier process. Additionally, transnational organized crime groups should be targeted by addressing money laundering, specifically by using civil forfeiture and unexplained wealth orders. The Liberals’ border bill contains a number of provisions that would help with the issue of fentanyl production and money laundering, but it faces a rocky road in Parliament and has been criticized by civil rights groups.
Conclusion and Future Directions
In conclusion, Canadian officials have been working to crack down on illicit drug production in the country, driven in part by US President Donald Trump’s assertions that Canada wasn’t doing enough to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US. The appointment of the fentanyl czar acknowledges the transnational nature of drug production in Canada, and efforts to address the issue include reducing drug supply, curbing demand, and securing borders. Changes to laws, such as addressing money laundering and the length of criminal trials, are needed to further deal with the issue. As the fentanyl czar, Kevin Brosseau, noted, officials will push forward with a mission of reducing drug supply, curbing demand, and securing borders in the coming year.
