Alberta Primer Danielle Smith is calling for the creation of a "border czar" on the cusp of significant U.S. tariffs that could be in place by Saturday.
President Donald Trump is threatening the tariffs over what he perceives as significant security problems at the Canada-U.S. border. Too many drugs and migrants are crossing into America, he says.
"The one thing that we can do this week, in just the next couple of days, to have the best chance to avoid tariffs, is to show clear and unequivocal action to secure the border," said Smith in a press conference.
"This should start with the appointment of a Canadian border czar to work with the new American border czar to jointly crack down hard on fentanyl and illegal migrants."
Trump's new border czar is Tom Homan, who previously served as the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first term.
He was appointed to oversee American borders, including maritime and aviation security, as well as the deportation of undocumented immigrants.
Smith called a Fox News crew to the Coutts Alberta border crossing on Wednesday to showcase border security progress.
RCMP began patrolling the Alberta-Montana border with a Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday. Smith has also launched an Alberta Sheriff unit to patrol the border — an unprecedented move.
"We want to ensure that the American people, along with their president and elected representatives, know that action is being taken," she said.
Justin Trudeau said Canada will respond robustly if the U.S. imposes tariffs. He has emphasized that "everything is on the table," suggesting Canada would use all available tools to counteract any tariff actions by the U.S.