Immigration detention facilities

When necessary, foreign nationals who are not allowed to stay in Canada may be temporarily detained at one of three Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) immigration holding centres. High-risk adult males requiring a high degree of control and supervision may be detained at CBSA’s designated immigrant station in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec.

Detention standards

The treatment and rights of individuals in immigration detention are subject to domestic and international standards. All detainees, regardless of location of detention, must have access to clear communication channels, a safe and healthy environment, external and internal supports.

For information on the care and services available to detainees, please refer to sections 4 and 5 of the National Immigration Detention Standards.

Laval, Quebec

Address: 300 Montée Saint-François, approximately 30 km from the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport

Maximum capacity: 133 detainees

The CBSA manages the facility and uses third-party contracts for the provision of certain services. The facility has two stories and provides separate living units for men, women and families.

Visitor information

Open daily: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm and from 7 pm to 9 pm

All visitors must show proper identification to guards at reception and undergo security screening. Acceptable identification includes:

• a single valid government-issued identification with:
  • name
  • photo
  • current address
  • date of birth and signature
  or
• two (2) identification documents that together include all of the above information

Visitors are asked to store personal effects in a designated locker.

The CBSA reserves the right to deny contact visits on short notice for operational reasons and/or to maintain the safety of occupants.

Telephone: (450) 661-4267

Photos of the Laval immigration holding centre

Surrey, British Columbia

Address: 13130 76 Avenue, approximately 30 km from Vancouver International Airport

Maximum capacity: 75 detainees

The CBSA manages the facility and uses third-party contracts for the provision of certain services. The facility has two stories and provides separate living units for men, women and families.

Visitor information

Monday to Friday: 2 pm to 4 pm and 7 pm to 9 pm

Weekend/Stat holidays: 10 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 5 pm

All visitors must show proper identification to guards at reception and undergo security screening. Acceptable identification includes:

• a single valid government-issued identification with:
  • name
  • photo
  • current address
  • date of birth and signature
  or
• two (2) identification documents that together include all of the above information

Visitors are asked to store personal effects in a designated locker.

The CBSA reserves the right to deny contact visits on short notice for operational reasons and/or to maintain the safety of occupants.

Telephone: (778) 591-4101

Photos of the British Columbia immigration holding centre

Toronto, Ontario

Address: 385 Rexdale Boulevard, approximately 8 km from Pearson International Airport

Maximum capacity: 157 detainees

The CBSA manages the facility and uses third-party contracts for the provision of certain services. Spread out over three stories, the facility provides separate living units for men, women and families.

Visitor information

Daily: 9:30 am to 11:15 am, 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm, and 7 pm to 8:45 pm

All visitors must show proper identification to guards at reception and undergo security screening. Acceptable identification includes:

• a single valid government-issued identification with:
  • name
  • photo
  • current address
  • date of birth and signature
  or
• two (2) identification documents that together include all of the above information

Phone number: (416) 401-8505

Visitors are asked to store personal effects in a designated locker.

The CBSA reserves the right to deny contact visits on short notice for operational reasons and/or to maintain the safety of occupants.

Photos of the Toronto immigration holding centre

Designated Immigrant Station in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec

Address: 245 Gibson Boulevard, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec

Maximum capacity: 25 high-risk adult male detainees

The CBSA manages the designated immigrant station within the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) Regional Reception Centre at Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec. 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.