Kevin Brosseau, former RCMP deputy commissioner, appointed as Canada’s new fentanyl czar.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced that former RCMP deputy commissioner Kevin Brosseau will take on the role, working with Canadian law enforcement and U.S. counterparts to combat the fentanyl crisis.
“With over 20 years in public safety and national security, including tackling drug trafficking and organized crime, Mr. Brosseau brings tremendous value to this position. His work will help keep Canadians safe,” Trudeau stated in a press release.
Brosseau recently served as deputy national security and intelligence advisor to the prime minister, handling some of Canada’s most sensitive security challenges. He was also an assistant deputy minister in the fisheries and transport departments. Prior to his federal service, Brosseau spent over two decades in the RCMP, including as deputy commissioner and Manitoba’s commanding officer.
Trudeau’s decision to appoint a fentanyl czar follows his pledge last week to reinforce the Canada-U.S. border in exchange for a 30-day reprieve on U.S. tariffs. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford had pressured Trudeau to act swiftly, with Ford criticizing the delay, saying, “It’s been a whole week. This can’t be the speed we operate at.”
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty described the role as a crucial liaison between Canadian and U.S. governments to curb fentanyl trafficking. He emphasized that fentanyl is not only a law enforcement issue but also a matter of foreign affairs, intelligence, public health, and supply chain tracking.
Trudeau’s office noted that while less than one percent of intercepted fentanyl at the U.S. border originates from Canada, “any amount of fentanyl is too much.”
In addition to appointing Brosseau, the government has committed nearly 10,000 frontline personnel to border protection, including 8,500 Canada Border Services Agency staff, RCMP officers, and members of provincial and local police forces.
Last week, Trudeau also signed a new intelligence directive enhancing security agencies’ ability to gather intelligence on transnational organized crime and share it with American partners and law enforcement agencies across North America.
