Ford urges Ottawa to move faster to satisfy U.S. border security demands

OTTAWA — Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford is criticizing the federal government over the time it’s taking to appoint what he calls a border czar.

Ford says the Trump administration has made it clear that security along the Canada-U.S. border must be tightened, and he wants Canada to move more quickly.

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Speaking on the provincial campaign trail today in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, Ford says he’s sick and tired of politicians talking but not acting.

Early this week, the government said it would name a fentanyl czar to engage with the U.S. and improve efforts to counter the manufacture and trafficking of the deadly drug.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened to impose steep tariffs on Canada, citing the southbound flow of migrants and drugs, including fentanyl.

Trump then agreed to a month-long pause on the tariffs while the U.S. assesses whether Canada’s recent actions satisfy his demands.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 7, 2025.

Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press