What is a ‘fentanyl czar’? Why Canada will have one amid trade war

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Amid an ongoing trade war with the United States, Canada is set to appoint a so-called “fentanyl czar” in an effort to mitigate an escalating situation between the two countries.

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The issue stems from an announcement by American President Donald Trump in November that he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian products imported into the United States. He cited illegal immigrants and drugs as main reasons to bulk up border security in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

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“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing crime and drugs at levels never seen before,” he said.

“I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25 per cent tariff on all products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous open borders. This tariff will remain in effect until such time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country!”

Just as the United States was gearing up to implement 25 per cent tariffs, Canada announced it would do the same “in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs,” the federal government said in a news release on Feb. 1. This change was supposed to be implemented on Tuesday; however, before it could go into effect, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Trump were able to reach a temporary deal.

“Canada and the United States agreed to delay the imposition of our respective tariffs on imported goods,” the department of finance said on Monday, in an update on its news release. The pause will be in effect for “at least 30 days,” said Trudeau in a post on X.

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What did Trudeau say after his call with Trump about U.S. tariffs?

Trudeau posted on X about a call he had with Trump on Monday afternoon.

“Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border,” wrote Trudeau.

“In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.”

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What is a ‘fentanyl czar’?

There has been no official description of the new role of “fentanyl czar” other than what Trudeau has explained in his post on X. Trudeau also announced $200 million that would go toward another new position, that of intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl.

The office of the prime minister did not immediately respond to the National Post’s request for comment about the roles.

It’s possible that the role of “fentanyl czar” would be similar to that of Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan, who was appointed in November. The position involves being in charge of American borders, “including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,” Trump posted on Truth Social at the time of the announcement.

“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job,” said Trump.

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Homan met with Canadian officials in Washington, D.C. last week.

Speaking to reporters, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty said “huge improvements” had been made, “including dealing with migration, dealing with the fentanyl problem,” per BNN Bloomberg. On Tuesday, McGuinty said in a post on X that he was en route to Emerson, Manitoba — which he called the busiest border crossing in the Prairies — “to see Canada’s Border Plan in action.”

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According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s statistics, the United States seized around 43 pounds of fentanyl from its norther border in 2024. That is a stark difference from its southern border, which saw more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl seized the same year.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller said he did not believe the proposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada had to do with the border, BNN Bloomberg reported last week. During his meetings in Washington, he said he exposed facts to Americans that would be “important in the discussions that Mr. Trump will be briefed on.”

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