Manitoba conservation officers tasked with helping border patrol amid Trump threat

  • Canadian Press

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew speaks during the media availability at the 2024 Western Premiers' Conference in Whitehorse, Monday, June 10, 2024. The Manitoba government has ordered a regional health authority to cut the amount of money its spends on private-agency nurses by 15 per cent by March of next year. CANADIAN PRESS/Crystal Schick

GRETNA, Man. -- The Manitoba government says its plan to have conservation officers help keep an eye on the United States border is underway.

Premier Wab Kinew says conservation officers are being asked to focus on secondary roads and backcountry areas near the border.

They're being asked to keep an eye out and inform other law enforcement agencies if they see suspicious activity or people in need of medical help from the cold weather.

While some other provinces, such as Saskatchewan, are adding to law enforcement staff along the border, Manitoba plans to use existing conservation officers for the additional duties.

Kinew says the Manitoba government has also invested $460,000 for RCMP overtime work in border areas.

Many provinces have promised to boost border surveillance after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods unless border security was improved.

This report by was first published Jan. 27, 2025