National

B.C. agrees to delay ending immigration detention in correctional centres

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 27 Jun, 2023 05:29 PM

British Columbia has agreed to give Canada's border agency more time to come up with an alternative to holding immigration detainees in the province's correctional centres, almost a year after the decision to end the practice.

BC Corrections gave 12 months' notice last July to the Canada Border Services Agency that it would stop the arrangement, which Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said did not align with the provincial government's commitment to human rights, social justice and equity.

Farnworth has now approved a "one-time" three-month extension of the deal until the end of October at the request of federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino, on the condition that no new detainees will be accepted after July 31.

The B.C. Public Safety Ministry says in a news release that all immigration detainees will be transferred from provincial jails to the border agency's custody on Nov. 1.

It says there are currently 12 immigration detainees in BC Corrections custody.

B.C.'s decision to end the practice of holding immigration detainees in its correctional institutions had a domino effect, with New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nova Scotia all moving to end similar contracts with the CBSA.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Largest Vaisakhi parade back in Surrey after 3 years, attended by an estimated 700,000

Canada’s largest Vaisakhi Parade outside of Punjab, India took place on April 22 in Surrey, and was attended by approximately 700,000 people. The colorful and vibrant community event saw volunteers and local businesses enthusiastically handing out treats and food and were at forefront of making the parade a successful event.

Largest Vaisakhi parade back in Surrey after 3 years, attended by an estimated 700,000

Transit association says more police, security needed on city buses, trains

This month in British Columbia, a 17-year-old boy riding public transit was fatally stabbed near Vancouver and a man on a Surrey-area bus was left with life-threatening issues from a throat slash.

Transit association says more police, security needed on city buses, trains

Man arrested after attack on a SkyTrain passenger in Surrey earlier this month

Officers are recommending a charge of assault with a weapon and one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Police say a man and his girlfriend were on SkyTrain at about 1 a.m. on April 15th when they say the suspect stabbed and injured the man.

Man arrested after attack on a SkyTrain passenger in Surrey earlier this month

German plane airlifts 58 Canadians out of Sudan as Canadian plane readies for more

Global Affairs Canada has provided very little information on efforts to get Canadian citizens, or even its own staff, out of Sudan. But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided a limited update Monday afternoon at a photo-op with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Ottawa.

German plane airlifts 58 Canadians out of Sudan as Canadian plane readies for more

Public service union to picket at locations with more impact as strike enters Day 6

The Public Service Alliance of Canada says more than 100,000 of its staff remain on strike, some of whom are expected to move their picket lines Monday to strategic locations more likely to have an impact on the federal government.

Public service union to picket at locations with more impact as strike enters Day 6

89 year old woman assaulted at Metrotown

They say the elderly woman, who was shoved to the ground by the assailant, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Images from security video released by the R-C-M-P also appear to show that the man has a full beard.