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Quarterly detention statistics: Fourth quarter (Q4) fiscal year 2020 to 2021

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)'s statistical publication provides information on detentions.

General detentions

Table 1.1: Detentions as a percentage of entries, by length of detention and by facility
Quarter Entries by foreign nationals to Canada Total persons detained Total persons in detention (daily average) Detainees as a % of entries by foreign nationals to Canada Total detention days Average length of detention Median length of detention Total persons detained in an immigration holding centre
(number and %)
Total persons detained in a provincial facility
(number and %)
Total persons detained in another facility
(number and %)
1 518,508 453 126 0.09 11,323 25.0 9 173 (34%) 287 (56%) 52 (10%)
2 851,555 476 131 0.05 11,925 25.1 9 223 (39%) 275 (48%) 71 (13%)
3 807,571 566 135 0.07 12,299 21.7 7 300 (45%) 285 (43%) 79 (12%)
4 802,825 565 146 0.07 12,964 22.9 8 317 (50%) 258 (41%) 59 (9%)

Source: IRCC DWS – Business Reporting CBSADHAA Datamart

Note: The numbers presented in each quarter cannot be added together to equal an annual sum. This is because the quarterly numbers reflect the number of people in detention at a given time, and could include a person who is detained over 2 quarters and carried over. Similarly, changes can take place over the time a person is detained that can lead to double-counting in the total number of people in detention by facility type. Individuals can be transferred between facility types, and could therefore be counted in both. Previous quarter totals may be slightly inflated due to late entry of release date in the system.

Table 1.2: Persons detained by length of detention
Quarter 24 hours or less 25 to 48 hours 3 to 9 days 10 to 39 days 40 to 99 days Over 99 days
1 62 29 77 113 98 85
2 60 38 113 134 83 57
3 119 42 117 152 92 59
4 95 50 145 134 97 63
Table 1.3: Persons detained sorted by province
Province First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter
Alberta 34 31 41 45
British Columbia 64 94 112 121
Manitoba 6 6 8 7
New Brunswick 6 5 3 2
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 6 7 3
Northwest Territories 0 0 0 0
Nova Scotia 1 5 9 7
Ontario 248 249 293 293
Prince Edward Island 1 1 0 0
Quebec 90 71 90 87
Saskatchewan 5 13 9 3
Yukon 0 0 0 0

Note: The total number of persons detained by province when added together, is greater than the total number of persons detained in that quarter as persons may be transferred between provinces during their time in detention. In this instance they are counted twice.

Table 1.4: Persons detained by grounds for detention
Grounds for detention First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter
Danger to the public 14 14 12 11
Examination 11 5 7 9
Identity 16 11 25 13
Security certificate 0 0 0 0
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of human/international rights violation 0 0 0 0
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of security 0 2 0 0
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of serious criminality / criminality / organized criminality 5 5 4 4
Unlikely to appear / danger to the public 77 84 106 94
Unlikely to appear 340 369 420 443

Note: The total number of persons detained by ground for detention, when added together, is greater than the total number of persons detained in that quarter as the same person may be detained on multiple grounds for detention.

Grounds for detention

These grounds for detention may apply to a permanent resident or foreign national who may be inadmissible to Canada. Refer to Section 55 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

Notes

A fiscal-year begins on and ends on . Quarters are broken down as follows: Q1: to ; Q2 to ; Q3 to ; Q4 to .

Detention days are the number of cumulative days spent in detention for all detainees over the reporting period under the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Median length of detention represents the middle value (or the average of two middle values) in days when the numbers are listed in numerical order from smallest to largest.

“Detention in another facility” includes other law enforcement agencies (that is, Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachments, local and provincial police cells), CBSA Ports of Entry (POE) and Inland Enforcement (IE) cells. Note that POE and IE cells as well as other law enforcement agencies' cells are only used for very short periods of time.

More information

Detention or housing of minors

Definitions

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.
Minor:
A person under the age of 18.
Accompanied minor:
A foreign national or permanent resident who arrives to Canada accompanied by a responsible adult (parent, guardian).
Detained minor:
A foreign national or permanent resident who is deemed to be inadmissible 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 an 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.
Unaccompanied minor:
A foreign national or permanent resident who arrives to Canada unaccompanied by a responsible adult (parent, guardian) and is not effectively taken into the care of such a person.
Table 2.1: National overview of housed minors by quarter
Quarter Total number of minors housed in a facility Accompanied minors (by parent/guardian) Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
1 1 1 2 2
2 4 4 11.5 5
3 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0

Notes:

  • For more information on the detention or housing of minors, consult the Detention Manual (ENF 20).
  • The total number of minors in a facility accounts for all minors (foreign nationals, permanent residents and Canadian citizens).
  • The numbers presented in each quarter cannot be added together to equal an annual sum. This is because the quarterly numbers reflect the number minor in a facility at a given time, and could include a person who is housed over 2 quarters and carried over.
Table 2.2: Housed minors by age, gender and status
Quarter Foreign national Canadian Male Female 0 to 5 years 6 to 11 years 12 to 17 years
1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
2 4 0 3 1 1 2 1
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Note: The minor housed in Quebec Inland Office cell has been carried over to the 2nd Quarter, therefore the total has a difference of one minor in the year to date total.

Table 2.3: Housed minors by length of housing and facility type
Quarter Under 48 hours 3 to 9 days 10 to 39 days 40 to 90 days 91 to 180 days More than 181 days Immigration Holding Centre (IHC) Youth centre Other
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2 0 3 1 0 0 0 3 0 1
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Note: Housing in other facilities includes CBSA ports of entry (POE) and inland enforcement (IE) cells, hospital, etc. Note that POE and IE cells are only used for very short periods of time.

Table 2.4: Housed minors by detention grounds of parent/guardian
Region Exam Suspected of serious criminality, criminality, organized crime Unlikely to appear Identity Total
Quarter 1
Quebec 0 0 1 0 1
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Quarter 2
Quebec 0 0 1 0 1
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 3 0 3
Quarter 3
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Quarter 4
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Table 2.5: National overview of detained minors
Quarter Total number of minors detained in a facility Accompanied minors (by parent/guardian) Unaccompanied minors Average length of time in a facility (days) Median length of time in a facility (days)
1 0 0 0 0 0
2 0 0 0 0 0
3 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0

Note:

  • For more information on the detention or housing of minors, consult the Detention Manual (ENF 20).
  • The total number of minors in a facility accounts for all minors (foreign nationals, permanent residents and Canadian citizens).
Table 2.6: Detained minors by status, gender and age
Quarter Foreign national Canadian Male Female 0 to 5 years 6 to 11 years 12 to 17 years
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Note: 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.

Table 2.7: Detained minors by length of detention and facility type
Quarter Under 48 hours 3 to 9 days 10 to 39 days 40 to 90 days 91 to 180 days More than 181 days Immigration Holding Centre (IHC) Youth centre Other
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Note: Detentions in other facilities includes CBSA ports of entry (POE) and inland enforcement (IE) cells, hospital, etc. Note that POE and IE cells are only used for very short periods of time.

Table 2.8: Detained minors by detention grounds
Region Exam Suspected of serious criminality, criminality, organized crime Unlikely to appear Identity Total
Quarter 1
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Quarter 2
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Quarter 3
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Quarter 4
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0

Source: IRCC DWS – Business Reporting CBSADHAA Datamart

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