Border should remain ‘unmilitarized’, Trudeau says, after reports troops could be deployed in U.S.

OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The United States is considering the possibility of stationing military troops at the Canada-U.S. border, but our country’s prime minister has said is government is not in favour of such action.

For generations, the two countries have shared one of the most open borders in the world, but that could soon change amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Justin Trudeau has confirmed his government has been engaged in talks with the U.S. about a possible proposal from the White House to station soldiers in between ports of entry, to stop anyone from illegally entering the U.S.

Trudeau said on Thursday he’s made Canada’s position clear.

“The fact that the Canada-U.S. border is the longest unmilitarized border in the world is something that has benefited our two countries and both economies tremendously, and we feel that it needs to remain that way,” he said.

Global News reports the U.S. plan is to have the military on both the Canadian and Mexican borders using sensor technology to detect anyone illegally entering, and then contacting border agents to make arrests.

Meanwhile, the prime minister also took part in a  G20 through a video conference. He said global leaders are doing all they can to try and coordinate action to deal with the pandemic.

Trudeau is stressing he need for people to obey a new order requiring anyone returning to Canada from abroad to self-isolate for 14 days. The order comes as part of the Quarantine Act, and could see anyone not following the order be fined or even face imprisonment.

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