Canada names ex-RCMP deputy commissioner as new fentanyl czar

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Canada (AA) - Canada named its new so-called ‘fentanyl czar’ Tuesday to help stem the flow of the drug across the border and avoid being hit with US tariffs.

Kevin Brosseau is a retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) deputy commissioner who was on the force for more than 20 years and recently served as Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“As Fentanyl Czar, Mr. Brosseau will work closely with US counterparts and law enforcement agencies to accelerate Canada’s ongoing work to detect, disrupt and dismantle the fentanyl trade,” Trudeau said in a statement on the prime minister’s website.

US President Donald Trump threatened heavy tariffs on goods imported from Canada unless the flow of fentanyl into the United States was stopped at the border. Trump also demanded an end to illegal immigrants crossing into the US from Canada.

The Brosseau appointment is part of a CAN$1.3 billion (US$909 million) Canadian plan to beef up the border with increased guards and the addition of helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs. The plan was instituted even though Canadian officials said the flow of fentanyl from Canada was a trickle.

“While less than 1% of the fentanyl intercepted at the US border comes from Canada, any amount of fentanyl is too much,” the statement said.

“Fentanyl is a lethal drug that must be eradicated from our communities,” Trudeau said.

Public Safety Minister David McGuinty echoed Trudeau.

“The Fentanyl Czar will need expertise in drug trafficking, organized crime networks, and other national security threats. Kevin Brosseau is that person,” McGuinty said.