OTTAWA, Ontario — On Tuesday, Canada appointed a former deputy commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as the national fentanyl czar, aiming to demonstrate to the United States its commitment to combating the production and distribution of the synthetic opioid.

Kevin Brosseau, who has over two decades of experience within the RCMP, previously held the role of deputy commissioner and served as the lead officer in Manitoba. Recently, he occupied the position of deputy national security and intelligence adviser to the Prime Minister.

In a statement announcing the appointment, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized the dangerous nature of fentanyl, stating, “Fentanyl is a lethal drug that must be eradicated from our communities.” He expressed confidence that Brosseau’s role will enhance Canada’s initiatives to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the fentanyl trade in collaboration with the United States.

The announcement comes amidst tensions with the U.S., where President Trump has recently warned of imposing significant tariffs on Canadian imports due to concerns over the influx of migrants and drugs, including fentanyl.

Currently, there is a temporary halt on these tariffs as the U.S. evaluates whether Canada’s measures sufficiently meet Trump’s expectations.

It’s important to note that while fentanyl sourced from Canada reaches the U.S., its quantity is considerably lesser than that smuggled from Mexico. Last fiscal year, U.S. customs officers intercepted 43 pounds (19.5 kilograms) of fentanyl at the Canadian border, in stark contrast to the 21,100 pounds (9,570 kilograms) seized at the Mexican border.