Quarterly detention statistics: Fourth quarter fiscal year 2021 to 2022
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)'s statistical publication provides information on detentions.
General detentions
| Quarter | Entries by foreign nationals to Canada | Total persons detained | Total persons in detention (daily average) | Detainees as a percentage 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 | 860,183 | 596 | 162 | 0.07 | 14,581 | 24.5 | 9 | 343 (50%) | 276 (41%) | 63 (9%) |
| 2 | 2,067,253 | 629 | 167 | 0.03 | 15,148 | 24.1 | 9 | 370 (50%) | 286 (39%) | 77 (11%) |
| 3 | 2,476,838 | 1,232 | 212 | 0.05 | 19,057 | 16 | 3 | 950 (68%) | 299 (22%) | 141 (10%) |
| 4 | 2,034,410 | 1,211 | 211 | 0.05 | 18,594 | 15 | 3 | 863 (66%) | 302 (23%) | 147 (11%) |
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Source: IRCC DWS – Business Reporting CBSA – DHAA 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. |
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| 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 | 89 | 37 | 131 | 167 | 113 | 66 |
| 2 | 99 | 51 | 127 | 176 | 120 | 69 |
| 3 | 435 | 152 | 230 | 234 | 127 | 81 |
| 4 | 481 | 104 | 188 | 243 | 122 | 99 |
| Province | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 57 | 57 | 69 | 62 |
| British Columbia | 134 | 138 | 270 | 238 |
| Manitoba | 5 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| New Brunswick | 3 | 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Northwest Territories | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nova Scotia | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Ontario | 289 | 310 | 576 | 581 |
| Prince Edward Island | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Quebec | 98 | 106 | 293 | 301 |
| Saskatchewan | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Yukon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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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. |
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| Grounds for detention | First quarter | Second quarter | Third quarter | Fourth quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danger to the public | 11 | 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Examination | 1 | 7 | 33 | 31 |
| Identity | 14 | 10 | 59 | 59 |
| Security certificate | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of human/international rights violation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of security | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of serious criminality / criminality / organized criminality | 4 | 9 | 20 | 30 |
| Unlikely to appear / danger to the public | 96 | 112 | 124 | 127 |
| Unlikely to appear | 475 | 484 | 1,004 | 971 |
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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. |
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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).
- Examination (If an officer considers it is necessary to get more information from an individual to complete the examination, that individual could be detained to allow the officer to do so. 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.)
- Suspected of serious criminality, criminality or organized criminality
- Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of security
- Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of human/international rights violation
- Identity (If an officer is unable to verify an individual's identity, that person may be detained.)
- Danger to the public
- Unlikely to appear (A person may be detained if an officer believes the person is 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.)
Notes
A fiscal-year begins on and ends on . Quarters are broken down as follows: First quarter (Q1): to ; Second quarter (Q2) to ; Third quarter (Q3) to ; Fourth quarter (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 and inland enforcement cells. Note that ports of entry and inland enforcement cells as well as other law enforcement agencies' cells are only used for very short periods of time.
More information
- National Immigration Detention Framework outlines the CBSA's approach to making the Canadian immigration detention system better and fairer.
- Arrests, detentions and removals describes where people are detained, information about the detention review process, and more.
- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations contain additional information including the legislative grounds for detention.
Analysis: Detentions in the fourth quarter
Number of detentions
The number of entries by foreign nationals to Canada decreased by 18% in the fourth quarter of 2021 to 2022 compared to the third quarter. The number of detentions also decreased by almost 2% (from 1232 to 1211). When comparing the fourth quarter of 2021 to 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2020 to 2021, the number of detentions more than doubled (from 565 to 1211). The number of detentions in this quarter is still 43% lower than in the fourth quarter of 2019 to 2022 – the last pre-pandemic quarter. As pandemic-related travel restrictions continue to ease, the number of entries by foreign nationals to Canada continues to increase. In line with past observed trends, this will lead to a potential increase in the number of detentions.
Over the last four quarters, the grounds for detention that were most used were "unlikely to appear" and "unlikely to appear (and) a danger to the public." The number of detentions in each province remained similar. Ontario and Quebec had the largest number of detainees in the third and fourth quarters.
Explanation for detention numbers
The CBSA continues to detain less than 1% of the overall number of foreign nationals coming to Canada. The CBSA also continues to focus on identifying release options for individuals in detention where possible. The decision to release an individual from detention is made on a case-by-case basis using a dynamic risk assessment process that aligns individual risk indicators with conditions that can mitigate that risk. Detention is used if an individual's risk cannot be managed by a suitable alternative to detention.
| Detention facility | Q4 2021 to 2022 (%) | Q3 2021 to 2022 (%) | Q4 2020 to 2021 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration Holding Centre (IHC) | 66 | 68 | 50 |
| Provincial facility | 23 | 22 | 41 |
| Other | 11 | 10 | 9 |
The CBSA used immigration holding centres, provincial facilities, and other facilities in the fourth quarter in similar ways to the third quarter of 2021 to 2022. In quarter four of 2020 t0 2021, the CBSA used provincial facilities for 41% of detentions, while in the fourth quarter, the number was 23%. The CBSA considers detention in a provincial facility when a detainee can't be managed at an immigration holding centre due to risk. The CBSA continues to prioritize the use of immigration holding centres for detention cases, and alternatives to detention where possible.
Length of detentions
In quarter four, the average length of detention was 15 days. In quarter three, it was 16 days. There was a 34% decrease when compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 to 2021 (from 22.9 days to 15 days). In both the fourth and third quarter of 2021 to 2022, the CBSA released more than 60% of detainees within less than 10 days. In quarter four of 2020 to 2021, the CBSA released roughly 50% of detainees within less than 10 days.
The number of persons detained for over 99 days increased by 22% from the previous quarter (from 81 in the third quarter to 99 in the fourth quarter of 2021 to 2022). There was also an increase in the number of persons detained for over 99 days in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year when compared to the fourth quarter in the previous fiscal year (from 63 in the fourth quarter of 2020 to 2021 to 99 in the fourth quarter of 2021 to 2022). In the fourth quarter of 2021 to 2022, most individuals detained for over 99 days are awaiting the completion of an investigation or other process that may lead to an admissibility decision.
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 immigration holding centre 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 immigration holding centre 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.
| 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 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Notes:
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| Quarter | Foreign national | Canadian | Male | Female | 0 to 5 years | 6 to 11 years | 12 to 17 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 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 | Youth centre | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Note: Housing in other facilities includes CBSA ports of entry and inland enforcement cells, hospital, etc. Note that ports of entry and inland enforcement cells are only used for very short periods of time. |
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| 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 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Quarter 2 | |||||
| Quebec | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GTA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pacific | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quarter 3 | |||||
| Quebec | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 |
| 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Notes:
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| 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 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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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. |
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| 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 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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Note: Detentions in other facilities includes CBSA ports of entry and inland enforcement cells, hospital, etc. Note that ports of entry and inland enforcement cells are only used for very short periods of time. |
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| 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 | 1 | 1 |
| GTA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pacific | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Quarter 3 | |||||
| Quebec | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| GTA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pacific | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Quarter 4 | |||||
| Quebec | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| GTA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pacific | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Analysis: Detention or housing of minors in the fourth quarter
Since the implementation of the CBSA's National Immigration Detention Framework and the National Directive for the Detention or Housing of Minors, the CBSA continues use detention or housing for minors only as a last resort. The CBSA avoids immigration detention when possible for children and other vulnerable persons. Where safety or security is an issue, immigration detention is considered for the shortest time possible.
During the fourth quarter of 2021 to 2022, there were no minors housed or detained. This is the same as the fourth quarter of 2020 to 2021. In the third quarter of 2021 to 2022, there were 4 minors detained and 3 minors housed at an immigration holding facility. In the third quarter of 2021 to 2022, the British Columbia immigration holding centre held 3 of the 4 detained minors. The Laval immigration holding centre held 1 minor. The minors were either 16 or 17 years old. They were all travelling unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In the third quarter of 2021 to 2022, the 3 housed minors were all placed at the Laval immigration holding centre. They remained there for 10 days or less.
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