(Chapter 7-Detention and Removal of Individuals-Canada Border Services Agency)
Ottawa, 6 May 2008-The management of detentions and removals of individuals ordered to leave Canada has improved since 2003, says the Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, in her Report tabled today in the House of Commons. The Report says the Canada Border Services Agency has improved its tracking of individuals ready for removal.
"I am pleased that the Agency has made progress in certain areas, but it needs better processes for detentions and removals to ensure that individuals are treated consistently," said Ms. Fraser.
The audit found that the Agency does not monitor its detention and removal decisions across the country to ensure that they are being made consistently. Nor does it collect and analyze enough data at a national level to properly manage detentions and removals. The audit also found that the Agency needs to better manage the costs of detentions and removals.
The Report notes that as of September 2007, the Agency knew the whereabouts of 22,000 individuals who had been ordered to leave Canada. However, it did not know the whereabouts of a further 41,000 who had been ordered to leave, some of whom may already have left the country.
"Although a growing number of people might still be in Canada illegally, the good news is that the Agency is focusing its available resources on the higher-risk individuals," said Ms. Fraser.
- 30 -
The chapter "Detention and Removal of Individuals" is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
For more information, please click here.
