New Tools Will Help Police Services, Including Niagara Regional Police, Fight Illegal Drugs, Guns And Cross-Border Crime
News from the Government of Ontario
Posted August 11th, 2026 on Niagara At Large
The Peace Bridge border crossing – one of the busiest between Canada and the United States – between Fort Erie in Niagara, Ontario and Buffalo, New York
As part of its work to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the government is strengthening border security by investing $32.5 million in new tools, technology and investigative resources that will help police detect, deter and disrupt the smuggling of illegal firearms, drugs and other contraband into Ontario.
“Protecting Ontario starts with strong borders,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “We’re giving police the tools they need to stop illegal guns, drugs and organized crime before they reach our communities because every illegal firearm or shipment of drugs intercepted at the border is one less threat to Ontario families.”
The Rainbow Bridge between Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.
As part of Operation Deterrence, Ontario is introducing two new border security initiatives: a $30 million Border Security Grant to help eligible municipal and First Nations police services purchase specialized equipment, including drones, marine vessels, radar, thermal imaging cameras, surveillance systems and secure intelligence technology; and a $2.5 million Border Integrity Investigative Fund to support investigations into illegal firearms trafficking, drug smuggling, organized crime and other cross-border criminal activity.
As announced in the 2025 Ontario Budget, the province is also investing an additional $57 million in two new H‑135 helicopters to help support Windsor Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service and West Region OPP. The helicopters will strengthen patrols and enforcement at key border crossings and along the U.S. border.
Quick Facts
- The Border Security Grant is available to eligible municipal and First Nations police services with direct international borders or strategic waterway access.
- Since Operation Deterrence launched in 2025, Ontario’s enhanced border enforcement measures have helped trace more than 550 illegal firearms, including over 440 connected to the United States, and seize more than 4,100 kilograms of cocaine and 190 kilograms of fentanyl.
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