Union and police association react to Manitoba plan to patrol border

The union representing motor carrier inspectors and the association representing RCMP officers are reacting to Premier Wab Kinew’s plan to help patrol the border between the U.S. and Manitoba.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said the provincial government will pay Mounties overtime to step up, with commercial truck inspectors also expected to pitch in. That’s in addition to extra help from conservation officers, set to help as well, which was announced earlier this month.

The move came in response to Donald Trump’s demand on Canada to increase border security or face 25 per cent tariffs.

“We are going to ensure that we have resources to ensure that we can secure the border here in Manitoba,” Kinew said.

However, the National Police Federation said RCMP officers are already feeling the pressure because of the high number of homicides and violent crimes.

“It's been really overbearing for our members and they are burning out, so overtime is something that we would have to look at,” said Bobby Barker with the National Police Federation in an interview with CTV News.

“I'm sure the RCMP would have to look at the overall policing model and the way they’re doing it,” he continued. “Is it possible? Of course it's possible.”

The union representing truck inspectors said it was caught off-guard by the announcement, similar to the news about conservation officers being tapped in.

"I think it will be a challenge,” said Kyle Ross, Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU) president. “They have a job and a full slate of work already, and adding more to their plate is really going to mean we need more of them.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to shut off the power supply to three U.S. states if Trump follows through with tariffs. Kinew said Manitoba is considering retaliatory measures if needed, but wouldn’t go into specifics.

“For our part here in Manitoba, we’re making a list, we’re checking it twice and we’ll be ready for Jan. 20,” Kinew said.

But Asper School of Business instructor Sean MacDonald described the situation as “madness,” saying that while it’s prudent to have retaliatory plans in place, Kinew and other premiers shouldn’t be talking about them out in the open as it may escalate tension.

“Cool the temperature in the room so we can at least mitigate or limit the amount of damage that’s going to come from this,” MacDonald said.

CTV News reached out to Manitoba RCMP for comment but no one was available for an interview Friday afternoon.