Introduction

The Government of Canada is taking concrete and bold action to strengthen border security and disrupt the illegal fentanyl trade. It has announced an investment of $1.3 billion to enhance operations. The funding will support hiring additional personnel and purchasing advanced technology and equipment. This includes state-of-the-art imaging systems, drones, and AI tools. The plan also involves creating joint strike forces and emergency management councils with U.S. border authorities.

However, a recent Globe and Mail article (subscription required) singled out the need for better communication and information sharing between law enforcement agencies as one of the RCMP’s most pressing needs. The article highlights how officers and agencies work in silos, which limits how evidence is gathered and managed and, ultimately, impacts operational effectiveness. We can do better!

Strengthening Mission Effectiveness Through Trusted Communication

The Government of Canada’s five-pillar Border Action Plan recognizes the need to improve operational coordination and information sharing. Canada’s ability to fight organized crime, secure its borders, and respond to evolving threats depends on fast, secure, and coordinated communication. Agencies like the RCMP, CBSA, and Public Safety Canada operate in high-risk environments where delays, information silos, or communication breakdowns can compromise operations and put lives at risk.

BlackBerry® provides secure communications and alerting tools to support border agents and law enforcement officers worldwide, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Our technology enables seamless and highly secure encrypted voice and text communications between federal, provincial, local departments, and other first-responder entities. BlackBerry’s secure border communications platform provides frontline officers with real-time information. It enables two-way communication, ensures personnel accountability, and simplifies field reporting. The platform also supports seamless interoperability across organizations.

Additionally, it integrates with technologies like drones to deliver actionable intelligence and enhance situational awareness. Canadian officials can rely on BlackBerry technology in a variety of critical situations. Whether it’s coordinating a multi-jurisdictional investigation, responding to a fentanyl seizure, or managing a public safety incident, BlackBerry provides essential support. The technology enables secure evidence collection, seamless information sharing, and improved operational coordination and response.

Purpose Built for Sovereignty, Security, and Operational Continuity

BlackBerry’s secure border communications solution is designed for environments where failure isn’t an option and is already in use by U.S. Federal Border Agencies. Public Safety Canada, including the RCMP and the CBSA, can effectively leverage this platform to implement its five-pillar border plan.

The solution centralizes communication and empowers users to communicate with internal and external stakeholders as they respond to critical border events. This strategy enhances the Government’s ability to collaborate effectively while swiftly alerting and mobilizing agents when needed. It prioritizes stakeholder safety and facilitates the collection of real-time information. Additionally, it enables the secure and rapid sharing of intelligence. With a sovereign, cross-platform solution designed to protect mission-critical communications, Canada can safeguard voice calls, text messages, and identities with confidence.

BlackBerry Secure Communications solutions have passed the highest levels of security testing across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring full data sovereignty and residency in Canada. Our certifications include:

• Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE), approved for Canada Secret
• Common Criteria validated (NIAP Protection Profiles)
• NATO Security Accredited for NATO RESTRICTED communications
• NSA Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) Approved for up to Top Secret
• German BSI Approved for VS-NfD

BlackBerry understands that border security is more than just about what happens at a crossing point. It includes how agencies share intelligence, coordinate responses, and act quickly when threats emerge. Secure and sovereign real-time communication helps border personnel, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to stay connected and effective. These tools ensure that every agent and officer in the field, as well as every government official at headquarters, can operate with clarity, speed, and trust. Effective border integrity depends on more than physical infrastructure. It relies on resilient and trusted communication at every step.