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Manitoba conservation officers assigned to U.S. border have seen 'no activity' in nearly a year: minister
After 11 months, Manitoba conservation officers reported no border incidents or drug seizures despite increased deployment costing $1.4 million, officials and union leaders said.
Manitoba conservation officers reported no border activity after 11 months, and a freedom-of-information request found no records of seizures, arrests, or migrant stops, Ian Bushie said.
Last winter the province announced the redeployment of 11 conservation officers closer to the U.S. border amid threats of 25 per cent tariffs, part of a $1.4 million security plan including RCMP overtime and snowmobile funding.
Canada Border Services Agency statistics show detainees after entering Manitoba on suspicion of illegal entry have been in the single digits each recent quarter, with RCMP and border agencies reporting no border activity.
Union head Kyle Ross said 'That takes them away from what they're able to do and what their day-to-day work is', noting the conservation service has vacant positions, while Premier Wab Kinew said extra personnel could aid migrants exposed to frigid weather.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection data show Grand Forks district apprehensions have been largely double digits in recent months, and Christopher Adams said 'Really it is optics to the Trump administration'.