The province has allocated $32.5 million to prevent the entry of illegal drugs, firearms, and other contraband into the region. Solicitor General Michael Kerzner unveiled the initiative during a press conference in Windsor’s Sandwich Town neighborhood. Kerzner emphasized the importance of equipping law enforcement with necessary resources to combat illegal activities before they pose threats to Ontario communities.

Operation Deterrence 2.0, an extension of Ontario’s border security program introduced in January 2025, was initiated in response to concerns raised by the Trump Administration regarding drug trafficking from Canada into the U.S. The funding includes $30 million for a border security grant aimed at assisting municipal and First Nations police services in acquiring specialized equipment like drones, marine vessels, radar systems, thermal imaging cameras, and surveillance technology. Municipalities and First Nations with direct international borders or access to strategic waterways are eligible for the grant.

Additionally, $2.5 million will be allocated to a border integrity investigative fund to support efforts in combating illegal firearms trafficking, drug smuggling, organized crime, and other cross-border criminal activities. Windsor Police Service Chief Jason Crowley highlighted plans to utilize the funding for acquiring marine vessels and drones for emergency response purposes. The funding will also facilitate the replacement of aging vessels when needed.

Moreover, Windsor police will benefit from recent changes in legislation, enabling them to deploy drones as first responders without the previous constraint of maintaining visual contact. Crowley assured that privacy concerns associated with drone use are being addressed through appropriate legal procedures. The new funding supplements the $57 million allocated in the 2025 budget for procuring two H-135 helicopters to enhance border patrols and enforcement activities at critical border crossings and along the U.S. border.

Operation Deterrence has yielded significant results, including the tracking of over 550 illegal firearms, with more than 440 linked to the United States. Additionally, it led to the seizure of 4,100 kilograms of cocaine and 190 kilograms of fentanyl. Crowley emphasized the importance of strong border security for local safety, citing the success of Project Bay, which resulted in the seizure of 17 firearms and nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs. He stressed the critical role of border enforcement in safeguarding communities and expressed optimism about the value the grant funding will bring to border cities across Ontario.