OTTAWA, Dec 13, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Canada's Alberta province said Thursday it will deploy officers, dogs and drones to sniff out illicit drugs and undocumented migrants crossing the border with the United States, after President-elect Donald Trump complained that it was too porous.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced Can$29 million for the creation of a new unit comprised of 51 sheriffs, four drug dogs and 10 drones that will check commercial vehicles and monitor its 300-kilometer border with the US state of Montana.

She said Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba are planning similar initiatives along their respective borders with the US.

The provinces would work in tandem with stepped-up federal border measures that Ottawa plans to share with Trump's team in the coming weeks.

"Together with federal law enforcement we will ensure that our section of the American border is well-protected," Smith told a news conference.

"We'll deny safe haven to criminals looking to operate in both countries," she said. "And if we succeed... I expect we will have a very strong relationship with the United States."

Trump, who takes office in January, has threatened to slap 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, accusing both of allowing the United States to be flooded with illicit drugs, namely fentanyl, and undocumented migrants.

Late Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he would be prepared to cut off electricity exports to the US states of Minnesota, New York and Michigan if Trump imposes his promised tariffs on Canadian goods.

His comments followed a meeting with Smith and other premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on countering the potential tariffs.

At those talks, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters, the premiers discussed key Canadian exports to the United States "which should be considered as part of the Canadian response," such as critical minerals.

Smith said Thursday, "under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports."

Oil, mostly from Alberta, is Canada's single largest export with more than four million barrels shipped daily from Canada to the United States.

A government source told AFP Ottawa is still working on its federal border plan, the cost of which local media have pegged at Can$1 billion.

Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said after the briefing with the premiers that he was "encouraged by their desire to contribute provincial personnel, provincial assets to this work."

The Alberta sheriffs will set up highway stops to check vehicles, coordinate patrols with federal police and border officials, and share intelligence with US authorities.