The CBSA's National Immigration Detention Framework

Backgrounder

In 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) began work on a new National Immigration Detention Framework (NIDF). The framework focused on creating a better, and fairer immigration detention system while protecting public safety through investments of $138 million.

Through the NIDF, The CBSA announced today the transfer of the current Laval Immigration Holding Centre (IHC) operations to its new facility. This marks the completion of the last of the major infrastructure projects originally announced as part of the National Immigration Detention Framework (NIDF) in 2016. This new centre directly reflects the CBSA’s commitment to exercising its responsibility for detentions to the highest possible standards, with mental health and well-being of detainees, as well as the safety and security of Canadians, as the primary considerations.

Creating a more inviting space

The new immigration holding centre has features that improve the health and well-being of detainees, including:

  • A floorplan and closed circuit monitoring (by the guards) that efficiently and effectively minimizes the need for escort throughout the facility
  • A non-institutional feel, and control and security elements that are installed in a manner that balances the need for security with the need for detainee comfort and well-being (such as windows without bars, fences that deter escape without using barbed wire)
  • Safe and secure living units that are divided by gender and classification assessment, including the introduction of a family living unit
  • Welcoming access to family, NGOs and visitors, allowing for contact visits
  • A fitness area that supports indoor recreational activities for detainees
  • Outdoor recreational space for men, women and families that affords equal access to fresh air and natural light
  • Staging areas with beds for detentions expected to be short term
  • Administrative office space for CBSA operations
  • Rooms for immigration-related hearings and participation via video conference
  • On-site translation and legal services
  • On-site medical and mental health services provided by on-site medical personnel
  • Chaplaincy/spiritual support with a dedicated prayer room
  • Educational facility and resource centre
  • Public transit accessibility
  • Dedicated space for counsel and other persons providing assistance to detainees

National Immigration Detention Framework

The National Immigration Detention Framework (NIDF) sought to address systemic challenges in the administration of the program. These included:

  • Expanding and leveraging relationships with partners, while increasing program transparency
  • Modernizing the detention delivery model by expanding alternatives to detention (ATD)
  • Applying a risk-based approach to detention, supported by national policies and guidelines
  • Investing in infrastructure improvements to replace outdated Immigration Holding Centres, supporting enhanced detainee well-being

Milestones of the NIDF include:

  • Formalized the Detention Monitoring Program with the Canadian Red Cross (2017)
  • Launched expanded ATD options (2018).
  • Opened new IHC in Surrey, BC (2020); retrofitted the GTA IHC (completed 2020); opened new IHC in Laval, QC (2022).
  • Enhanced national standards for detention to improve conditions for those in its care. The standards provide for design principles that improve the well-being of detainees, including minimizing the institutional look of facilities, making available translation and legal support services, introducing NGO space on-site, facilitating greater mobility of detainees within the facility without escort where feasible, providing better access to families and friends through visits, providing additional recreational space indoors and outdoors, and providing on-site capacity for immigration hearings.
  • All three immigration holding centres have medical staff on site, including nursing staff with 24/7 access. In addition to the access to physician and nurses, all IHCs have access to on call psychologists and psychiatry services.

Investment

The CBSA has committed the following amounts to the construction and management of the new IHC facilities under the NIDF:

  • BC IHC: $62.1M over five years
  • Laval IHC: $59.7M over five ye

  

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