Ottawa, Ontario
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced it began housing high-risk detainees at its temporary designated immigrant station located on the site of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC)'s Regional Reception Centre in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec.
As announced in September 2024, the secure facility can house up to 25 adult male detainees who cannot be housed in CBSA's existing immigration holding centres or monitored by the CBSA using alternatives to detention because they require a high degree of supervision and control.
Following an individual risk assessment, detainees placed at the designated immigrant station may have prior convictions or outstanding charges for violent crimes, such as assault with a weapon, attempted murder, assaulting an officer with a weapon, and aggravated sexual assault and/or who have demonstrated violent, non-compliant or unpredictable behaviour that places themselves, staff, medical personnel, and other detainees at risk, thus requiring a higher degree of supervision and control.
The designated area is separate from CSC spaces and entirely under CBSA authority. CBSA staff and CBSA contracted personnel, such as security guards and medical professionals, are solely responsible for the care and management of detainees under the authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. To uphold national standards and ensure transparency, the CBSA grants access to independent third-party service providers, such as the Canadian Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to observe and evaluate detention conditions. The Canadian Red Cross currently provides monitoring services to the CBSA's existing immigration holding centres and will continue this practice at the new designated immigrant station.
In addition to the designated area, the CBSA operates three immigration holding centres located in Toronto (ON), Laval (QC) and Surrey (BC) where it continues to make infrastructure upgrades and operational changes as part of its longer-term approach to house high-risk detainees. Throughout these facilities, detainees are afforded care and access in line with domestic and international standards. Detainees have access to resources, including legal representation, enhanced medical services, recreational areas, and dedicated rooms for counsel or visits from legal representatives and non-governmental organizations.
Once an individual has exhausted all legal avenues, they are required to leave Canada voluntarily. If they refuse to comply with a removal order given by the CBSA or the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB), are a danger to the public, are a flight risk or their identity is unknown, they may be subject to detention. The IRB is responsible for determining whether detention should be maintained or not. Detention reviews take place every 30 days. The CBSA has a legal duty to remove inadmissible individuals as soon as possible from Canada, and actively works to secure travel documents and finalize removal plans promptly to avoid situations of prolonged detention.
