Canadian Ministers Meet With US AG Bondi to Discuss Fentanyl Trafficking, Border Security

Canada’s Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser said they held a “productive first meeting” with U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi in Washington on Aug. 27, where they discussed “shared priorities,” such as enhancing border security and addressing fentanyl trafficking, according to Canada’s Department of Justice.

The meeting was also attended by Canada’s “fentanyl czar” Kevin Brosseau and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, according to an Aug. 27 readout of the meeting, which described the engagement as an “opportunity” to highlight Canada’s “ongoing efforts to keep communities safe on both sides of our shared border.”

“They discussed shared priorities and explored ways to strengthen collaboration between their departments,” says the readout.

Topics at the meeting included the measures being taken to tackle fentanyl trafficking and transnational criminal organizations, to improve criminal justice, and to support victims, according to the statement.

Fraser described his meeting with Bondi as “our first chat as counterparts” and said they would stay “in close contact” on key issues to keep communities safe.

The Epoch Times reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.

The meeting comes a day after Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington, where they had a lengthy and constructive conversation, according to LeBlanc’s office.

That engagement followed Ottawa’s decision last week to drop some of its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products, which LeBlanc has said were a point of contention in trade and security negotiations with the United States.

Shortly after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the removal of some counter-tariffs on Aug. 22, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the two countries were closer to a deal, commending Carney and saying they would be talking again soon.

The U.S. administration raised tariffs on Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent at the beginning of August, citing Canada’s “failure” to curb fentanyl trafficking and its use of counter-tariffs against the United States. The tariffs do not apply to goods compliant under the USMCA.

Measures Ottawa has taken to address Washington’s fentanyl concerns include a $1.3 billion plan to boost border security and the appointment of a “fentanyl czar.” Brosseau, who previously served in the RCMP, was assigned to the role in February.

Ottawa has also introduced Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act, which intends to amend multiple acts and implement other changes to ensure law enforcement “has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering.” The bill has faced criticism by the Opposition over its possible impact on Canadian’s Charter rights.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.