A rise in gun violence is raising questions about Canada’s border security

Just last month Toronto police seized 78 firearms in a series of raids targeting a notorious street gang.  60 of the guns were linked to a cross-border firearms smuggling operation.

Crime author and investigative journalist, James Dubro says Canada needs to tighten it’s border.

“Right now we’re like the twenties when booze was going across the border, the guns are just pouring into Canada”.

Niagara Police say its a challenge that comes with policing an area near multiple points of entry from the US.

“Sometimes we face situations where people purposefully hide a fire arm and come across, other time we have people who are truly ignorant of the laws here”.

The Canadian Border Service Agency says all people seeking entry into Canada are stopped and questioned, but its up to officers to determine when a more in-depth examination is required.

According to the Canadian border services the number of guns seized last year in southern Ontario was 235, an increase from the 218 seized the year prior.

Over the past two years border agents based in the GTA have also seen a spike in gun seizures. From only two firearms seized in 2016, to 112 last year.