Photo courtesy canada.ca
The federal government is spreading $86 million to law enforcement in the country to try and stop illegal guns from entering Canada.
In a fight against rising gun violence in the country, the Canada Border Services Agency will receive $51.5 million to expand its detector dog teams to help better detect guns and drugs from crossing the border at key highway crossings with the United States.
Expanded X-ray scanning technology at post centres and air cargo facilities will also get a share of the money.
Ottawa is giving the RCMP $34.5 million over five years to enhance intelligence resources to help catch cross-border smugglers and traffickers of firearms.
A five-year funding commitment of $327 million was announced earlier this year to address criminal gun and gang activities.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says gun violence and organized crime are serious problems in Canada and that focused initiatives are needed to reduce violent crime across the country.
Border Security Minister Bill Blair says a report is expected back to the government by the end of the year on ongoing public consultations of a possible ban on handguns and assault weapons.
With files from the Canadian Press.
CHEK News
