ID 18301846 © Howard Sandler | Dreamstime.com

By Curtis Galbraith

Federal Politics

Trump’s concerns on drugs, migrants from Canada legitimate says Warkentin

Dec 23, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie- Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin believes Donald Trump’s concerns about drugs and illegal migrants going into the U.S. from Canada are legitimate.

He says his party has been asking about this.

“As to why we have such a lax response to the concerns that Canadians have been speaking about for years when it comes the border.”

“This is the question for the current government. Why have they not been interested in solving the challenges that were so clearly evident for so long?”

Warkentin says Canadians will have to make a decision on these concerns when the time comes for the next federal election.

He adds his party would also address concerns about drugs and illegal guns coming into Canada from the United States.

“This is one of the things that we have long been concerned about. We know that when it comes to gun crime in our country, that a significant portion of the firearms used in the gun crimes are guns that are illegal here in Canada that have crossed the border illegally from the United States.”

Warkentin says the “overwhelming majority” of weapons seized during investigations are tied to illegal guns from the U.S.

He adds the Conservatives have been calling for more controls at the border and the screening of containers coming into Canada’s ports, among other things

Warkentin says the current government has targeted “farmers and duck hunters” instead of criminal gangs smuggling illegal weapons.

The MP also says Canada needs a strong prime minister with a strong mandate to stand up to tariff threats from Trump.

“But also, to demonstrate that when Canada is in a growth position, Americans will benefit as well.”

“We know that the United States is one of our largest trading partners. We know that the United States depends on Canada for a number of things, including the energy that we produce.”

Warkentin says the American economy is stronger when the two countries work together.

He thinks current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “is not articulating a strong vision of a government that’s working with its closest trading partner and closest ally.”