Arrests, detentions and removals
Quarterly Detention Statistics – 2017-2018

Annual
2012-2018 Quarterly
2017-2018 Quarterly
2018-2019

Overview

General (table 1.1)
Quarter Entries by foreign nationals to Canada Persons detained * Detainees as a % of entries by foreign nationals to Canada Detention days Average length of detention (days) Detentions in a CBSA facility (IHC) * Detentions in a non-CBSA facility *
Q1 9,322,214 2,641 0.03% 30,799 11.7 1,978 838
Q2 12,678,322 2,514 0.02% 31,520 12.5 1,865 804
Q3 7,311,262 2,209 0.03% 29,786 13.5 1,625 748
Q4 6,354,769 1,998 0.03% 28,226 14.1 1,496 597

* The number of persons detained represents the total number of persons in detention over the reporting period. Therefore, the number includes individuals still detained who were admitted in previous reporting periods. The number of persons detained will not be equal to the sum of detentions in a CBSA facility (Immigration Holding Centre (IHC)) and a non-CBSA facility due to transfers between facilities.

Notes:

Persons detained by length of detention (table 1.2)
Quarter 24 hours or less 25-48 hours 3-9 days 10-39 days 40-99 days 99+ days
Q1 1,218 281 374 410 220 136
Q2 1,113 318 367 390 222 133
Q3 917 323 290 354 267 116
Q4 861 217 255 327 240 140

Regional breakdown of persons detained (table 1.3)
Quarter Atlantic provinces Prairies provinces B.C. & Yukon Quebec Ontario
Q1 14 100 781 524 1,262
Q2 18 97 639 592 1,186
Q3 10 94 499 481 1,138
Q4 6 82 376 465 1,075

Note: The sum of the regional breakdown is greater than the total number of detainees due to transfers between provinces.

2. Minors

Best interests of the child
An international principle to ensure children enjoy the full and effective benefit of all their rights recognized in Canadian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is also a rule of procedure that includes an assessment of the possible impact (positive or negative) of a decision on the child or children concerned.
Grounds for detention
These are outlined in Section 55 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
  • Exam
    Detained on entry to Canada when necessary to do so in order for examination by an officer to be completed. All persons who seek to enter or transit through Canada are subject to examination by a border services officer. An examination can be as simple as a few questions, but can also include an examination of the person's personal belongings, more intensive questioning, or personal searches.
  • Identity
    Detained as they are unable to satisfy the officer as to their identity.
  • Unlikely to appear
    Detained as the person is deemed to be unlikely to appear for examination, an admissibility hearing, removal from Canada or at a proceeding that could lead to the making of a removal order by the Minister under IRPA subsection 44(2).
  • Suspected of serious criminality, criminality or organized crime: Detained on entry to Canada when an officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that the permanent resident or foreign national is inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality, criminality or organized crime.
Minor
A person under the age of 18.
  • Detained minor
    A foreign national or permanent resident who is deemed to be inadmissible in his/her own right and is subject to an Order for Detention under A55 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
  • Housed minor
    A foreign national, permanent resident or Canadian citizen who, after the completion of a best interest of the child assessment, is kept with their detained parent/legal guardian at a IHC at the latter's request. A housed minor is not subject to an Order for Detention and is free to remain and re-enter the CBSA IHC subject to the parent/legal guardian's consent.

National

Accompanied/unaccompanied minors by status, gender and age (table 2.1.1)
Quarter Minors in a facility Minors Status Gender Age
Accompanied Unaccompanied Foreign National Canadian Male Female 0-5 years 6-11 years 12-17 years
Q1 65 63 2 59 6 33 32 34 20 11
Q2 52 50 2 47 5 26 26 34 7 11
Q3 38 37 1 37 1 19 19 19 8 11
Q4 12 10 2 10 2 6 6 5 2 5

Note: The total number of minors in a facility accounts for all minors (foreign nationals, permanent residents and Canadian citizens). A Canadian citizen cannot be detained but in rare and exceptional circumstances may be housed with a parent/legal guardian in a facility if it is in the best interests of the child.

Housed/detained minors by length of housing/detention and facility type (table 2.1.2)
Quarter Length of housing/detention Facility type Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
48 hours or less 3-9 days 10-39 days 40-90 days 91-180 days 181+ days IHC Youth Centre
Q1 27 16 11 5 6 0 60 5 22.9 7
Q2 24 9 16 1 2 0 51 1 13.3 4
Q3 9 14 15 0 0 0 38 0 10.7 8
Q4 3 4 5 0 0 0 12 0 10.3 6

Housed minors accompanying a parent/guardian by detention ground of parent/guardian (table 2.1.3)
Quarter Detention grounds of parent/guardian Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity Suspected of serious criminality, criminality, organized crime
Q1 1 25 6 0 32 10.9 1
Q2 0 14 5 0 19 10.7 1
Q3 1 9 5 0 15 7.3 8
Q4 1 6 1 2 10 11.3 6

Detained unaccompanied minors by detention ground of minor (table 2.1.4)
Quarter Detention grounds of minor Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 0 2 0 2 1 1
Q2 1 0 1 2 3 3
Q3 0 0 1 1 4 4
Q4 1 1 0 2 5.5 5.5

Notes:

Detained accompanied minors by detention ground of minor (table 2.1.5)
Quarter Detention grounds of minor Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 3 24 4 31 36.6 12
Q2 8 7 16 31 15.5 10
Q3 0 10 12 22 13.4 8
Q4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Regional

Quebec

Housed minors accompanying a parent/guardian by detention ground of parent/guardian (table 2.2.1)
Quarter Detention grounds of parent/guardian Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity Suspected of serious criminality, criminality, organized crime
Q1 1 7 1 0 9 25.9 8
Q2 0 3 2 0 5 26.2 1
Q3 1 3 5 0 9 7.6 9
Q4 1 6 1 2 10 11.3 6

Detained accompanied minors by detention ground of minor (table 2.2.2)
Quarter Detention grounds of minor Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 3 19 4 26 41.7 12
Q2 8 7 16 31 15.5 10
Q3 0 10 12 22 13.4 8
Q4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Greater Toronto Area

Housed minors accompanying a parent/guardian by detention ground of parent/guardian (table 2.3.1)
Quarter Detention grounds of parent/guardian Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 0 1 0 1 45 45
Q2 0 2 0 2 10.5 10.5
Q3 0 1 0 1 36 36
Q4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Detained accompanied minors by detention ground of minor (table 2.3.2)
Quarter Detention grounds of minor Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 0 5 0 5 10.2 1
Q2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Q3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Q4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pacific

Housed minors accompanying a parent/guardian by detention ground of parent/guardian (table 2.4.1)
Quarter Detention grounds of parent/guardian Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 0 17 5 22 3.3 1
Q2 0 9 3 12 4.3 1
Q3 0 5 0 5 1 1
Q4 0 0 0 0 0 0

Detained accompanied minors by detention ground of minor (table 2.4.2)
Quarter Detention grounds of minor Total Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
Exam Unlikely to appear Identity
Q1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Q2 0 0 0 0 0 0
Q3 0 0 0 0 0 0
Q4 0 0 0 0 0 0
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