The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Pacific Region operates a small, short-term, low-risk immigration detention facility in Vancouver, British Columbia. The British Columbia Immigration Holding Centre (BCIHC) is located in the Vancouver International Airport and is authorized to hold a maximum of 24 individuals for detentions of under 72 hours.
Following the incident at the BCIHC on December 20, 2013, the CBSA conducted an internal review of its immigration detention operations in Vancouver.
As a result of the internal review, CBSA took the following actions at the BCIHC:
- Security Service Contract: CBSA reviewed the existing contract with the private security company to confirm consistency with CBSA’s national detention program.
- Procedures: BCIHC Standing Orders (procedures) were updated and a process for annual review was put in place.
- Oversight: CBSA has augmented oversight and monitoring procedures at the BCIHC.
- Infrastructure: Physical infrastructure was modified to reduce the risks for self-harm.
- Training: All contracted security guards assigned to the BCIHC must receive enhanced training, including suicide and self-injury prevention. As of August 2014, all contracted BCIHC guards received training on the new Standing Orders.
The actions taken by the CBSA to strengthen the immigration detention program and reduce the likelihood that a similar incident will happen again are explained further below:
1. The CBSA conducted a comprehensive review of the existing guard services contract and confirmed that it is consistent with existing national detention standards and adheres to the contract and BCIHC Standing Orders. The CBSA also developed a new Statement of Work to be included in future contracts for security services. We have implemented a requirement that all contracted security guards assigned to the BCIHC must receive enhanced training, including suicide and self-injury prevention.
2. CBSA Pacific Region worked closely with the contracted security company and completed a review of policies and procedures. As a result, CBSA Pacific Region has strengthened its immigration detention program in the area of detainee health and mental health.
3. The CBSA has augmented management oversight and monitoring procedures by working more closely with the contracted security company and providing further direction and guidance on contract requirements.
4. The CBSA identified and fixed in February 2014 infrastructure concerns in order to reduce the risk of self-harm. In addition, the agency has identified areas to improve the temporary living environment at the BCIHC.
5. The CBSA worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association to deliver suicide and self-injury prevention and mental health awareness sessions to employees working within CBSA’s Pacific Region Inland Enforcement Section (IES). This training requirement is also included in the new guard services contract, which makes it mandatory for the third-party contractor to provide this training to their guards prior to beginning work at the BCIHC.
