Canadian Mayor Alarmed at Trump’s Naval Drones Surveilling the Great Lakes

In May, the US Coast Guard unveiled their intention to deploy autonomous naval drones across the five Great Lakes to keep tabs on any illicit activities. These drones, provided by Saildrone, come equipped with cameras that can capture footage from every angle, essentially acting as a watchful eye over the freshwater border between the US and Canada.

Mayor Mike Bradley of Sarnia, Ontario, expressed his astonishment at the sight of one of these US surveillance boats gliding along the St. Claire River, a natural boundary separating Lake Huron from Lake St. Clair. Mayor Bradley appeared anything but pleased with the new addition to the Great Lakes' scenery, stating his unhappiness towards the lack of clear communication.

He questioned whether the Canadian government was aware of and agreed to the deployment, calling it a significant concern. The funding for these drones was part of a $15.5 million allocation included in Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act," which was passed in early July 2025. Despite having ample time since the drones became operational in May, the US Coast Guard has yet to inform their Canadian counterparts about these sail drones.

The mayor also noted his surprise at the US side's apparent refusal to communicate, particularly considering the longstanding cooperation between the US and Canadian coast guards. Bradley asserted that the drones' presence on the Great Lakes would undoubtedly raise questions and create a sense of unease among boaters who would be under constant surveillance.

Despite the Coast Guard's claims that the drones are only meant for "awareness" purposes and not surveillance, Mayor Bradley remains skeptical and doubtful of their intentions, citing the current deteriorating relationship with the US.