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Quarterly detention and alternatives to detention statistics: Second quarter, fiscal year 2025 to 2026

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

General detentions

This section of the report shows the number of people held in CBSA immigration holding centers for the fiscal year to . People may be detained for reasons including public safety concerns, flight risks, or identity verification. CBSA reviews each case regularly and uses alternatives to detention when appropriate.

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 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 8,147,905 1,067 170 0.01 15,054 14 4 914 / 74 119 / 10 197 / 16
2 10,854,075 970 168 0.01 15,095 16 5 826 / 73 103 / 9 210 / 18

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.
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
1 310 98 245 246 118 71
2 317 74 229 211 105 54
Table 1.3: Persons detained sorted by province
Province First quarter Second quarter
Alberta 34 58
British Columbia 265 247
Manitoba 9 11
New Brunswick 3 2
Newfoundland and Labrador 1 2
Northwest Territories 0 0
Nova Scotia 4 6
Ontario 518 452
Prince Edward Island 0 0
Quebec 267 226
Saskatchewan 5 9
Yukon 0 1

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
Danger to the public 22 16
Examination 26 29
Identity 43 40
Security certificate 0 0
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of human/international rights violation 0 1
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of security 6 5
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of serious criminality / criminality / organized criminality 36 28
Unlikely to appear / danger to the public 128 132
Unlikely to appear 821 726

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 arrest and detention

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) allows for several grounds for an arrest and detention of permanent residents and foreign nationals who are inadmissible and either unlikely to appear for an IRPA process or pose a danger to Section 55 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act the public, as well as detention on entry in prescribed circumstances.

  • Examination (If an officer considers it is necessary to detain an individual upon arrival at a port of entry in order to complete the examination.)
  • 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 not satisfied of an identity of a foreign national during an IRPA procedure – e.g., examination.)
  • Danger to the public (Factors considered when detaining someone as a danger to the public are outlined in section 246 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR). Factors may include, but are not limited to, past criminality and criminal associations.)
  • Unlikely to appear (A person may be arrested and 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 April 1 and ends on March 31. Quarters are broken down as follows: First quarter (Q1): April 1 to June 30; Second quarter (Q2) July 1 to September 30; Third quarter (Q3) October 1 to December 31; Fourth quarter (Q4) January 1 to March 31.

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

Detention, housing, or separation of minors

This section of the report shows how many people under 18 were detained by CBSA or separated from their parents or guardians for the fiscal year -. The CBSA makes every effort to avoid detaining children and to keep families together.

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.
Separated minor

All events where a minor is separated from an accompanying parent(s) / legal guardian(s), and are:

  • placed with a family member in the community (other than a parent or legal guardian)
  • placed under the care of a child welfare agency
  • placed under the care of a non-governmental organization, etc.
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 7 7
2 2 2 1 1

Notes:

  • For more information on the detention or housing of minors, consult the Detention Manual (ENF 20) (PDF).
  • 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 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
2 2 0 1 1 0 2 0
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 Youth centre Other
1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
2 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0

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.
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 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 2 0 2
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 1 0 1 1 1
2 0 0 0 0 0

Notes:

  • For more information on the detention or housing of minors, consult the Detention Manual (ENF 20) (PDF).
  • 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 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
2 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 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Note: Detentions in other facilities includes CBSA ports of entry and inland enforcement cells, hospital, etc. Note that port of entry and inland enforcement 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
Northern Ontario 0 0 1 0 1
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Quarter 2
Quebec 0 0 0 0 0
GTA 0 0 0 0 0
Northern Ontario 0 0 0 0 0
Pacific 0 0 0 0 0
Table 2.9: National overview of separated minors
Quarter Total number of separated minors Average length of time separated (days) Median length of time separated (days)
1 1 50 50
2 0 0 0
Table 2.10: Separated 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 1 0 1 0 0 1 0
2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Alternatives to detention

This section of the report shows the number of people who were placed on alternatives to detention instead of being held in CBSA custody during the fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Alternatives to detention allow people to live in the community while their immigration case is being processed.

Definitions

Community supervision

A program that allows individuals to live in the community and be supported by family, or by a third party service provider that specializes in community service. Community supervision consists of three programs:

  1. Release on a deposit or guarantee to a bondsperson
  2. Release on reporting conditions
  3. Release on a Community Case Management & Supervision program
Deposit
The person is only released from detention once funds are deposited
Guarantee
The bondsperson will need to pay the money that is promised if the person in detention does not respect the conditions of their release
Conditions
The CBSA and/or the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will put in place conditions when a person is released, based on their risk level. See section 4.1 of Enforcement Manual 34: Alternatives to Detention for more information
Remote Reporting
ReportIn, a remote reporting application, that may be used for eligible individuals to report to the CBSA remotely, including those who may not be able to physically report in person due to geographical location or mobility issues.
Community Case Management and Supervision
For people who need support and a bondsperson to lower their level of risk when released into the community. The CBSA has contracts with the John Howard Society of Canada, the Toronto Bail Program and the Salvation Army
Electronic Monitoring
A limited number of people are chosen based on the level of risk they present and are monitored through a GPS and/or Radio Frequency system. Electronic monitoring is meant to be used with community supervision.

Active alternative to detention participants

Active alternative to detention participants are the number of people who are on an active alternative to detention program at some point during the selected period. This number of active participants can include:

  • A person whose alternative to detention program began before the selected period and/or ended during (or after) the reporting period
  • A person enrolled before the official launch of the expanded alternative to detention program on , but who remains an active participant to the program during the selected period
  • A person who avoided detention and was placed in an alternative to detention program

Counting the number of participants

The number of active alternative to detention participants at a specific time is not the same as the number of new enrollments. A person can be active in more than one alternative to detention program. This can create times where the person is counted once for each program they were active in. For this reason, it is not possible to add up the number of participants for each program to get the total number of individuals on an alternative to detention program.

A person will be added to the alternative to detention totals in every quarter where they are enrolled in an alternative to detention program. For this reason, the quarters cannot be added together for the total number of active alternative to detention participants in the year to date.

Table 3.1: Total active alternative to detention participants during the selected period
Quarter Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic Monitoring Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote Reporting In-person Reporting Total active alternative to detention participants
1 39 56 283 1,113 13,237 14,735
2 38 63 272 1,739 12,855 14,969

Notes:

  • Persons can be released on many alternative to detention programs at one time
  • The total count only counts each participant one time, regardless of the number of programs they are enrolled in
Table 3.2: Overview of persons released from detention on an alternative to detention condition
Quarter Persons detained Persons released on an alternative to detention Persons released on an alternatives to detention as a percentage of all persons detained (%) Average number of days in detention prior to release Number of persons released from an immigration holding center Number of persons released from another facility
1 1,067 381 36 22 322 36
2 970 337 35 24 272 80

Notes:

  • Persons may be detained for more than one quarter or they may have been arrested more than once. The percentage of persons released on an alternative to detention is calculated by dividing the number of persons released at that time by the number of person detained at that same time
  • The number of persons released on an alternative to detention includes Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency), Electronic Monitoring, Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency), Remote Reporting, In-person Reporting, Deposit, Guarantee, and other immigration conditions
  • Another facility includes other law enforcement agencies like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and provincial police cells. The CBSA ports of entry cells, the CBSA inland enforcement cells, and the other law enforcement agencies’ cells are only used for short periods of time
Table 3.3: Number of persons released from detention on an alternative to detention sorted by province (number and as a percentage of all persons detained)
Province First quarter Second quarter
Alberta 8 / 23 22 / 38
British Columbia 78 / 29 86 / 35
Manitoba 4 / 44 3 / 27
New Brunswick 1 / 33 1 / 50
Newfoundland and Labrador 0 / 0 2 / 100
Northwest Territories 0 / 0 0 / 0
Nova Scotia 4 / 100 2 / 33
Ontario 220 / 42 177 / 39
Prince Edward Island 0 / 0 0 / 0
Quebec 72 / 27 52 / 23
Saskatchewan 0 / 0 3 / 33
Yukon 0 / 0 1 / 100

Notes:

  • Does not include persons who were enrolled directly in an alternative to detention program without detention.
  • Zero percent means that there were detainees during this period, but no releases on an alternative to detention. If no percentage is provided, this means there were no detainees during this period.
Table 3.4: Number of persons released from detention by alternative to detention and by level of intervention
Quarter Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic Monitoring Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote Reporting In-person Reporting Deposit or Guarantee Other immigration condition
1 15 13 30 - 323 5 20
2 19 11 44 - 228 1 21

Notes:

  • The alternative to detention programs are listed from left to right from requiring the most intervention to the least intervention.
  • People can be released on many alternative to detention programs but have only been counted once in this table according to the alternative to detention program that they’re enrolled in that requires the most intervention.
  • Due to system limitations, the number of persons released from detention by alternative to detention and by level of intervention cannot be captured at this time for remote reporting.
Table 3.5: Number of new enrollments on alternative to detention by program type
Quarter Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic Monitoring Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote Reporting In-person Reporting Total
1 10 22 39 726 1,842 1,914
2 19 18 24 808 1,535 2,405
Table 3.6: Number of non-compliant alternative to detention participants by program type (All)
Quarter Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic Monitoring Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote Reporting In-person Reporting Total non-compliant participants
1 10 36 7 - 2,306 2,597
2 3 31 8 - 2,281 2,307

Note:

  • The above table represents all occurrences of non-compliance for all ATD programs participants are enrolled in. It is not based on only the highest level of monitoring. The numbers are based on the current reporting period.
  • Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.7: Number of compliant alternative to detention participants that were previously detained by program type
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and rate of compliance (%)
1 7 9 39 - 252 76
2 19 21 46 - 391 76

Note:

  • Compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.8: Number of compliant alternative to detention participants that were not previously detained by program type
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and rate of compliance (%)
1 22 26 250 - 11,810 83
2 16 21 230 - 11,348 84

Notes:

  • Compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.9: Number of non-compliant alternative to detention participants that were previously detained by program type
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and rate of non-compliance (%)
1 4 11 4 - 78 25
2 2 12 3 - 130 24

Notes:

  • Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.10: Number of non-compliant alternative to detention participants that were not previously detained by program type
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and rate of non-compliance (%)
1 6 25 3 - 2,228 17
2 1 19 5 - 2,151 16

Notes:

  • Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.11: Number of active alternatives to detention participants that have been removed from Canada or that have acquired regularization of status by program type
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and % of all active participants
1 8 1 15 66 1,079 1,173/8
2 9 3 15 102 1,209 1,342/8

Notes:

  • Regularization of status is recorded as those who have obtained permanent resident or protected persons status.
  • The last alternative to detention that the client was on is the alternative to detention that is captured under the removal order.
  • Participants are counted based on the highest level of intervention programming they are participating in.
Table 3.12: Number of non-compliant alternatives to detention participants that have been removed from Canada or that have acquired regularization of status by program type
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and rate of non-compliance (%)
1 2 2 1 - 280 323/12
2 0 0 1 - 200 201/9

Notes:

  • Regularization of status is recorded as those who have obtained permanent resident or protected persons status.
  • The last alternative to detention that the client was on is the alternative to detention that is captured under the removal order.
  • Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.13: Number of non-compliant alternatives to detention participants who have a pending decision on a permanent resident application on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
Quarter Community case management and supervision (with mandatory residency) Electronic monitoring Community case management and supervision (excludes mandatory residency) Remote reporting In-person reporting Total and rate of non-compliance (%)
1 1 3 0 - 425 497/19
2 0 2 0 - 381 382/17

Notes:

  • Humanitarian and compassionate grounds allow individuals who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada to apply for special consideration. These applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.14: Compliance rate for people released on community case management and supervision or electronic monitoring programs, who were originally detained for being a danger to the public.
Quarter Number of participants released Number of participants in compliance Total compliance rate (%)
1 66 55 83
2 59 51 86

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