Canada’s new fentanyl czar says goal is to totally stop the drug from entering the US

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The man appointed by the Canadian government to help stop fentanyl from entering the United States said his goal is to totally eliminate the drug crossing the border.

“Getting the number to zero is a goal and should be our goal,” Kevin Brosseau, a former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and a former national security and intelligence adviser, said Wednesday.

“If it’s one pound, 10 pounds, we all know the amount of deaths that possibly could represent. We should be focused on eliminating the scourge that is fentanyl in this country and in the United States,” he said.

The Canadian government announced Brosseau’s appointment as its fentanyl czar Tuesday.

The move was partly in response to President Donald Trump saying the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the U.S. was a reason for threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all Canadian goods – with an exception of 10% on energy.

Trump has paused the implementation of those tariffs until at least March 4.

“This is a clear demonstration of how serious Canada is taking the fentanyl crisis in his country and how important our relationship is with our American counterparts,” said Brosseau, who was speaking after touring a Canada Border Services Agency port of entry facility in Lansdowne, Ontario.

Brosseau said his job will be to work to integrate the different levels of law enforcement.

“I’m hoping to be able to give an intensity to the work,” he said. “My mandate is clear, to be able to bring people together to integrate the work and produce results.”

Figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) show the agency seized 19.5 kilograms (43 pounds) of fentanyl at the northern border last year. That compares to 9,570 kilograms (21,098 pounds) at the southwestern border.

Brosseau spent more than 20 years in the RCMP, where he served as a deputy commissioner and the senior Mountie in the province of Manitoba. More recently, he was deputy national security and intelligence adviser to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Brosseau said he plans on meeting with Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, and other U.S. officials soon.

“I’ve spent a number of years working in law enforcement,” he said. “I know how important those relationships, those collaborations are on the ground. We’re stronger together.”

Besides appointing Brosseau, the Canadian government has also announced it is spending CDN$1.3 billion (US$910 million) on increased border security which includes new helicopters, technology and personnel.

Speaking at the same event, David McGuinty, Canada’s public safety minister, was asked about the challenges on dealing with President Trump.

“There’s a lot at stake for people in the United States and in Canada,” said McGuinty. “There is a way to find our way forward here. I think the administration knows that."

“I think it’s going to take cool heads and a disciplined approach to find our way forward.”

McGuinty also reacted to Trump's continued statements about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state.

“Canada is an independent and sovereign country,” he said. “It will remain. So that’s just not up for discussion.”

This story has been updated to correct the U.S. dollar conversion for the increased spending to $910 million, not $91 million.

Canada's fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau looks on during a press conference following a tour of the Canada Border Services Agency Lansdowne port of entry in Lansdowne, Ontario, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Denver, a Canada Border Services Agency narcotics detection dog, is seen during a tour of the CBSA Lansdowne port of entry in Lansdowne, Ontario, with Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty, right, and Canada's fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau, center right, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada's fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau, center, speaks during a press conference following a tour of the Canada Border Services Agency Lansdowne port of entry in Lansdowne, Ontario, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty, center, and Canada's Fentanyl Czar Kevin Brosseau, right, are seen during a tour of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Lansdowne Port of Entry in Lansdowne, Ontario, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada's fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau attends a tour of the Canada Border Services Agency Lansdowne port of entry in Lansdowne, Ontario, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada's fentanyl czar Kevin Brosseau, center, looks on as Minister of Public Safety David McGuinty, left, speaks during a press conference following a tour of the Canada Border Services Agency Lansdowne port of entry in Lansdowne, Ontario, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)