Latest news with #CBSA
Cision Canada
2 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CBSA's designated immigrant station for high-risk detainees now operational in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Français
OTTAWA, ON, July 30, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced it began housing high-risk detainees at its temporary designated immigrant station located on the site of the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC)'s Regional Reception Centre in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec. As announced in September 2024, the secure facility can house up to 25 adult male detainees who cannot be housed in CBSA's existing immigration holding centres or monitored by the CBSA using alternatives to detention because they require a high degree of supervision and control. Following an individual risk assessment, detainees placed at the designated immigrant station may have prior convictions or outstanding charges for violent crimes, such as assault with a weapon, attempted murder, assaulting an officer with a weapon, and aggravated sexual assault and/or who have demonstrated violent, non-compliant or unpredictable behaviour that places themselves, staff, medical personnel, and other detainees at risk, thus requiring a higher degree of supervision and control. The designated area is separate from CSC spaces and entirely under CBSA authority. CBSA staff and CBSA contracted personnel, such as security guards and medical professionals, are solely responsible for the care and management of detainees under the authority of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. To uphold national standards and ensure transparency, the CBSA grants access to independent third-party service providers, such as the Canadian Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to observe and evaluate detention conditions. The Canadian Red Cross currently provides monitoring services to the CBSA's existing immigration holding centres and will continue this practice at the new designated immigrant station. In addition to the designated area, the CBSA operates three immigration holding centres located in Toronto (ON), Laval (QC) and Surrey (BC) where it continues to make infrastructure upgrades and operational changes as part of its longer-term approach to house high-risk detainees. Throughout these facilities, detainees are afforded care and access in line with domestic and international standards. Detainees have access to resources, including legal representation, enhanced medical services, recreational areas, and dedicated rooms for counsel or visits from legal representatives and non-governmental organizations. Once an individual has exhausted all legal avenues, they are required to leave Canada voluntarily. If they refuse to comply with a removal order given by the CBSA or the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB), are a danger to the public, are a flight risk or their identity is unknown, they may be subject to detention. The IRB is responsible for determining whether detention should be maintained or not. Detention reviews take place every 30 days. The CBSA has a legal duty to remove inadmissible individuals as soon as possible from Canada, and actively works to secure travel documents and finalize removal plans promptly to avoid situations of prolonged detention. Quick Facts Budget 2024 introduced amendments to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to enable the use of federal correctional facilities for the purpose of high-risk immigration detention. Until recently, the CBSA relied on provincial correctional facilities to house high-risk immigration detainees. As provinces began withdrawing from these agreements in 2023, the CBSA responded swiftly by initiating retrofit projects to its exiting immigration holding centres to ensure continued capacity for managing high-risk individuals. The CBSA's current agreement with the province of Ontario to house high-risk detainees, will expire in September 2025. As of July 14, 2025, there are 24 high-risk individuals held in provincial correctional facilities. Under the agreement with CSC, CBSA will use a closed section, separate from inmates, within the Regional Reception Centre in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, CSC will provide essential services, including infrastructure maintenance, food, and sanitation. Aside from these services, their role will be limited to emergency interventions in situations of safety or security risks within the framework outlined in the legislative amendments. The agreement is in place until June 2029. Over the last years, the CBSA has significantly reduced the use of detention by increasing alternatives to detention, such as in-person reporting, remote reporting, Community Case Management and Supervision, and Electronic Monitoring. The CBSA has the authority to detain foreign nationals under specific circumstances and uses immigration detention as a measure of last resort, where an individual may present a danger to the public, is a flight risk, or where their identity has not been established. As of July 14, 2025, of the individuals requiring CBSA supervision, over 98% are enrolled in alternatives to detention, while less than 2% are detained in a CBSA immigration holding centre or provincial correctional facility. Follow us on X (@CanBorder), Instagram (@CanBorder), and join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sask. judge stays immigration fraud convictions after 'systemic collapse' during border agency investigation
A man found guilty for his role in an immigration fraud scheme has had the charges stayed because a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agent working on the case was accused of intimidating witnesses, then allowed to investigate and clear himself. Saskatoon Court of King's Bench Justice Naheed Bardai's 106-page decision, issued on July 23, found that even though it is "quite probable" the allegations of intimidation were false, the self-investigation violated the accused's Section 7 Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. The ruling is the latest in a legal process that began in 2018, when Gurpreet Singh was arrested as part of an investigation by CBSA. Singh would eventually face 12 charges, all of which were related to his preparation of false letters of employment promising foreign nationals jobs as religious workers at Gurdwars, houses of worship for members of the Sikh faith. Bardai oversaw Singh's 2022 trial and convicted Singh on 10 of the 12 charges, but before sentencing could take place, Singh's defence lawyers brought an application for a mistrial. They alleged that the Crown failed to fully disclose information about the CBSA and Crown being accused of intimidating witnesses, and that the nature of the relationship between the Crown and the CBSA resulted in a loss of objectivity and independence. The defence argued this was grounds for the conviction to be revisited, the charges to be stayed, or the trial to be reopened or declared a mistrial. The Crown disagreed, saying Singh received a fair trial. 'Serious lapse of judgement' Bardai found there had been problems with disclosure, but they were inadvertent and didn't affect the outcome of the trial. He also ruled that he not satisfied "that the evidence establishes any sort of actual intimidation." The issue was that Toban Tisdale, the lead CBSA investigator on Singh's case, was accused of intimidating witnesses, then allowed to investigate those allegations himself. "The decision of Officer Toban to involve himself in an investigation that concerned his own behaviour represents a serious lapse in judgment," Bardai wrote in his decision. Bardai said we cannot simply trust the findings of an investigation conducted by the person accused of wrongdoing. "The problems with this sort of abuse of power and self-investigation are obvious," the decision said. "This type of conduct undermines the integrity of the justice system." The judge concluded that "there is now way to turn back the clock to address this problem," since many of the witnesses that testified at the trial had now been tainted by Toban's inquiries about the alleged intimidation. Bardai ruled that he was therefore not prepared to rule on Singh's innocence. Instead, he said this was the "clearest of cases" in which a stay had to be issued. A stay is a "remedy of last resort" and halts the legal process, but doesn't determine guilt or innocence. Tavengwa Runyowa was part of Singh's legal team and agreed the stay was the correct decision. "A police officer and an agency cannot investigate and and exonerate itself for wrongdoing," Runyowa said. 'This was not a single lapse in judgment' Bardai spent part of the decision taking the CBSA to task over allowing Toban to investigate himself. He said the Crown could have stopped Toban, other officers at the CBSA office in Regina could have stepped in, or senior CBSA managers could have directed Toban to remove himself. None chose to do so, Bardai said. "This was not a single lapse in judgment by a single individual. This was a systemic collapse," Bardai wrote. Runyowa said his client is elated about Bardai's decision. He said this is not just a single officer's mistake, but a system that is so dysfunctional that people within it "don't recognize that it is broken." "That should trouble the public, that an organization as large and powerful as the CBSA, which deals with all sorts of issues, national security, border security, immigration enforcement, can have such a faulty and defective structure that it could allow something like this to happen," Runyowa said. The CBSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CBC
18 hours ago
- CBC
Sask. judge stays immigration fraud convictions after 'systemic collapse' during border agency investigation
A man found guilty for his role in an immigration fraud scheme has had the charges stayed because a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) agent working on the case was accused of intimidating witnesses, then allowed to investigate and clear himself. Saskatoon Court of King's Bench Justice Naheed Bardai's 106-page decision, issued on July 23, found that even though it is "quite probable" the allegations of intimidation were false, the self-investigation violated the accused's Section 7 Charter rights to life, liberty, and security of the person. The ruling is the latest in a legal process that began in 2018, when Gurpreet Singh was arrested as part of an investigation by CBSA. Singh would eventually face 12 charges, all of which were related to his preparation of false letters of employment promising foreign nationals jobs as religious workers at Gurdwars, houses of worship for members of the Sikh faith. Bardai oversaw Singh's 2022 trial and convicted Singh on 10 of the 12 charges, but before sentencing could take place, Singh's defence lawyers brought an application for a mistrial. They alleged that the Crown failed to fully disclose information about the CBSA and Crown being accused of intimidating witnesses, and that the nature of the relationship between the Crown and the CBSA resulted in a loss of objectivity and independence. The defence argued this was grounds for the conviction to be revisited, the charges to be stayed, or the trial to be reopened or declared a mistrial. The Crown disagreed, saying Singh received a fair trial. 'Serious lapse of judgement' Bardai found there had been problems with disclosure, but they were inadvertent and didn't affect the outcome of the trial. He also ruled that he not satisfied "that the evidence establishes any sort of actual intimidation." The issue was that Toban Tisdale, the lead CBSA investigator on Singh's case, was accused of intimidating witnesses, then allowed to investigate those allegations himself. "The decision of Officer Toban to involve himself in an investigation that concerned his own behaviour represents a serious lapse in judgment," Bardai wrote in his decision. Bardai said we cannot simply trust the findings of an investigation conducted by the person accused of wrongdoing. "The problems with this sort of abuse of power and self-investigation are obvious," the decision said. "This type of conduct undermines the integrity of the justice system." The judge concluded that "there is now way to turn back the clock to address this problem," since many of the witnesses that testified at the trial had now been tainted by Toban's inquiries about the alleged intimidation. Bardai ruled that he was therefore not prepared to rule on Singh's innocence. Instead, he said this was the "clearest of cases" in which a stay had to be issued. A stay is a "remedy of last resort" and halts the legal process, but doesn't determine guilt or innocence. Tavengwa Runyowa was part of Singh's legal team and agreed the stay was the correct decision. "A police officer and an agency cannot investigate and and exonerate itself for wrongdoing," Runyowa said. 'This was not a single lapse in judgment' Bardai spent part of the decision taking the CBSA to task over allowing Toban to investigate himself. He said the Crown could have stopped Toban, other officers at the CBSA office in Regina could have stepped in, or senior CBSA managers could have directed Toban to remove himself. None chose to do so, Bardai said. "This was not a single lapse in judgment by a single individual. This was a systemic collapse," Bardai wrote. Runyowa said his client is elated about Bardai's decision. He said this is not just a single officer's mistake, but a system that is so dysfunctional that people within it "don't recognize that it is broken." "That should trouble the public, that an organization as large and powerful as the CBSA, which deals with all sorts of issues, national security, border security, immigration enforcement, can have such a faulty and defective structure that it could allow something like this to happen," Runyowa said.
Toronto Sun
21 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
HUNTER: Where are lost rapists, killers and pedos listed for deportation?
Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox ORDERED OUT: Killer Obnes Regis was ordered deported from Canada multiple times. When I lived in the United States, I was always conscious that a piss-up gone sideways on a Saturday night in Peoria could see me booted from the country. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Probably wildly exaggerated, I know, but there was one firm, unshakeable reality: I was not an American citizen and should act accordingly. A quaint notion like that seems utterly absurd in 2025 Canada. There are around 400,000 people awaiting deportation, 30,000 of whom were inadmissible in the first place. Like it? On Tuesday, the Globe and Mail reported that CBSA agents are trying to locate nearly 600 foreigners with criminal records who are slated for the night train to whatever dump they came from. They have, the Globe said, gone missing, and 431 of them have been found guilty of serious crimes. And when were they scheduled to appear for deportation? They skipped. And why wouldn't they? Park a bullet in someone, and the whole system weeps with the killer. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In 2011, CBSA started a most wanted web page with mug shots of the people they were hunting and their crimes. Dozens were captured and deported. Then, the page was quietly phased out in 2023. WHAT CAN I SCREW UP NOW? Former prime minister of Canada Justin Trudeau arrives ahead of an appearance by King Charles and Queen Camilla at the Senate Chamber for the State Opening of Parliament during an official visit to Canada on May 27, 2025 in Ottawa. Photo by Chris Jackson / Getty Images There has never been a satisfactory answer; instead, a lot of mumbling, ers and ums, something, something, er, privacy. Run along now. But we know, don't we? Recommended video 'Justin Trudeau and his gang of woke idiots thought the list was mean and racist,' a CBSA agent, who asked not to be identified, told the Toronto Sun. 'That list was working. Now? No one gets detained. It's f—ing ridiculous.' The agent noted that Canada's entire immigration apparatus is compromised by 'leftist radicals' and non-Canadians turning a blind eye to malfeasance at our borders. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'They are ideologically against us and any border controls. Doubling on that is this government's marching orders to them. And the cherry on top is our out-of-control holding centre that doesn't want to detain anyone.' A Canada Border Services Agency staff member walks towards a security guard at the CBSA's GTA Immigration Holding Centre in Toronto, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS / Chris Young And if they get nabbed for a crime and land before one of the old woke sweetie pies that are Canadian judges? The court bends over backwards when sentencing, so none of these losers is deported. Of course, during the Trudeau years, it was recently revealed that 17,000 foreign criminals had their convictions forgiven. Wading into discovering the whos, whats, and whys of Canadian immigration is a trip into a funhouse of wacky mirrors, with the mantra like a demented parrot, 'privacy concerns, privacy concerns, privacy concerns.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A case in point is Abdalaazim Harun of Windsor. He got pinched with enough fentanyl 'to be blunt, to kill thousands of people.' He was dinged with a 6 1/2 year sentence. We are NOW taking bets on whether, upon completion of his sentence, he gets deported to his native Sudan. Judge Paul Thomas O'Marra (thank you, Kathleen Wynne!) was very, very sympathetic to the pervert Akashkumar Khant, 30. Khant, an Indian immigrant, was trolling for action and agreed to meet for sex with a 15-year-old girl at a Holiday Inn in Mississauga. Price? $140. Instead of a teen tryst, he was greeted by a cop. O'Marra gave him a conditional discharge. Three months' house arrest. The jurist feared that a criminal record just might get Khant deported. Why, the weak-kneed judge sputtered that a conviction could 'delay his citizenship by four years … [and]… also prevent him from sponsoring his wife and obtaining his engineering licence.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. If he had been Canadian, Khant would be heading to the slammer. But thanks to the softies on the Supreme Court of Canada and down to the judicial minor leagues, along with a woke CBSA and an arguably deeply corrupt IRBC, such unpleasantness is unlikely. For those of us who still believe in some degree of law and order, we'll have to look longingly at places like Houston, where the feds arrested 211 illegal aliens charged or convicted of child sex offences. If he were in Texas, no doubt Judge Paul Thomas O'Marra would be going over the boards for the pedos and pervs he appears to find kinship with. bhunter@ @HunterTOSun MLB Canada Toronto Blue Jays Celebrity Toronto & GTA
CTV News
a day ago
- CTV News
‘All travellers were entering Canada': CBSA seizes guns, ammunition
Vehicles move across the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, Mich., to Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (AP / Paul Sancya) July has been a busy month for Canada Border Services agents. Over three days earlier this month, CBSA officers at southern Ontario ports of entry seized 12 firearms, 18 magazines and 254 rounds of ammunition from U.S. residents entering Canada. In the Niagara region, items were seized from the Queenston Bridge and the Peace Bridge, and in this area, items were seized from the Blue Water Bridge in Point Edward, the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor and the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel. A total of $13,000 in fines was paid. List of crossings and offences July 11 - at the Queenston Bridge, officers seized a firearm from a U.S. resident. The subject was arrested under the Customs Act and paid a penalty of $1,000. July 11 - at the Peace Bridge, officers seized a firearm, a magazine and ten hollow point bullets from a U.S. resident. The subject was arrested under the Customs Act, paid a penalty of $2,000 and returned to the United States. July 11 - at the Ambassador Bridge, officers seized a firearm and two magazines from a U.S. resident. Constance Dickerson, 41, of Illinois, has been charged by CBSA criminal investigators under the Customs Act. July 11 - at the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel, officers seized a firearm, a magazine and 15 rounds of ammunition from a U.S. resident. The subject was arrested under the Customs Act, paid a penalty of $1,500 and returned to the United States. A Female, 41, of Illinois, has been charged by CBSA criminal investigators under the Customs Act, sections 12, 153(a) and 155. July 13 - at the Peace Bridge, officers seized four firearms and five magazines from a U.S. resident. The subject was arrested under the Customs Act, paid a penalty of $5,500 and was returned to the United States. July 14 - at the Peace Bridge, officers seized 2 firearms, 9 magazines and 229 rounds of ammunition from a U.S. resident. The subject was arrested under the Customs Act, paid a penalty of $3,000 and returned to the United States. July 14 - at the Blue Water Bridge, officers seized 2 firearms, and 47 ml of liquid and 301 tablets of steroids from a U.S. resident. The subject was arrested under the Customs Act, paid a penalty of $2,740 and returned to the United States.
