Canadian frontier worries U.S. official less than Mexico’s

WASHINGTON — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly offered more soothing words this week for Canadians concerned about border security when he appeared before a Senate committee and was asked what concerns he had about security along the Canada-U.S. frontier.

Kelly replied that he’s not as concerned as he is with the southern border with Mexico and would actually like to see the northern border “even thinner,” reiterating comments he made during a visit to Ottawa last month.

The questions to the retired Marine general were posed by a couple of senators from border states who have been known to call for more stringent security, including Montana Democrat Jonathan Tester.

He queried Kelly on his level of concern, noting that while Americans are “focused like a laser on the southern border,” the northern border also has its challenges.

“The absolutely great news story in the northern border is that we have Canada there,” Kelly replied. “They interact with us at every level, they’re very careful about who comes into their country.”

Asked by Republican Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota if he agreed more must be done to secure the northern border, Kelly replied that Canada has “tremendous law enforcement” and the U.S.-Canada partnership “just couldn’t be stronger.”

Kelly said there’s been a “little bit of increase in Mexicans” entering the U.S. illegally from the north.

“I’m on the phone with my counterparts in places like Canada all the time but we obviously have to watch the threat.”