Beginning next year the British Columbia government will not allow Canada’s border officials to detain migrants within its provincial jails..The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) currently has an arrangement with BC Corrections to hold immigration detainees in its facilities, however a review led by BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth determined the arrangement is not in line with the province’s stance on human rights and will therefore be scrapped in 12 months..Once the 12 months is up CBSA will continue detaining migrants, just not at facilities operated by BC Corrections..“In the fall of 2021, I committed to a review of BC Corrections’ arrangement with the CBSA on holding immigration detainees in provincial correctional centres,” Farnworth said Thursday..“This review examined all aspects of the arrangement, including its effect on public safety and whether it aligns with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and expectations set by Canadian courts.”.Farnworth said BC Corrections sought input from external stakeholders and advocacy groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch..“Today’s decision is a momentous step. We commend British Columbia on being the first province to stop locking up refugee claimants and migrants in its jails solely on immigration grounds,” said Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada..“This is a true human rights victory, one which upholds the dignity and rights of people who come to Canada in search of safety or a better life.”.What will happen after the arrangement ends in 12 months remains uncertain, but Farnworth said BC Corrections is working with CBSA to “develop a transition plan.”.Canada does not have a legal limit on the length of time people can be held in immigration detention, and Human Rights Watch says Canada has held more than 1,500 immigration detainees for longer than 12 months since 2013..“The review brought to light that aspects of the arrangement do not align with our government’s commitment to upholding human-rights standards or our dedication to pursuing social justice and equity for everyone,” said Farnworth.
Beginning next year the British Columbia government will not allow Canada’s border officials to detain migrants within its provincial jails..The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) currently has an arrangement with BC Corrections to hold immigration detainees in its facilities, however a review led by BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth determined the arrangement is not in line with the province’s stance on human rights and will therefore be scrapped in 12 months..Once the 12 months is up CBSA will continue detaining migrants, just not at facilities operated by BC Corrections..“In the fall of 2021, I committed to a review of BC Corrections’ arrangement with the CBSA on holding immigration detainees in provincial correctional centres,” Farnworth said Thursday..“This review examined all aspects of the arrangement, including its effect on public safety and whether it aligns with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and expectations set by Canadian courts.”.Farnworth said BC Corrections sought input from external stakeholders and advocacy groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch..“Today’s decision is a momentous step. We commend British Columbia on being the first province to stop locking up refugee claimants and migrants in its jails solely on immigration grounds,” said Ketty Nivyabandi, secretary general of Amnesty International Canada..“This is a true human rights victory, one which upholds the dignity and rights of people who come to Canada in search of safety or a better life.”.What will happen after the arrangement ends in 12 months remains uncertain, but Farnworth said BC Corrections is working with CBSA to “develop a transition plan.”.Canada does not have a legal limit on the length of time people can be held in immigration detention, and Human Rights Watch says Canada has held more than 1,500 immigration detainees for longer than 12 months since 2013..“The review brought to light that aspects of the arrangement do not align with our government’s commitment to upholding human-rights standards or our dedication to pursuing social justice and equity for everyone,” said Farnworth.
