I attended an information session on the new Immigration Holding Centre which hopes to open by January of 2019. The presenters from Canada Border Services Agency maintained that the facility is for low to medium risk detainees. The community members in attendance had a variety of concerns. The main theme of these concerns was the lack of consultation and the over saturation of services in the Newton core. Other locations were considered but the low cost of the existing federal building made it an ideal cost reduction option.

 

Government of Canada awards construction contract for new Immigration Holding Centre in Surrey, B.C

 

  • The open, fair and transparent procurement process ensures Canadians obtain value for money and will result in a number of local jobs.
  • In addition to local jobs, this project will create as many as 200 apprenticeship opportunities in various trades, including mechanical, electrical, drywall, carpentry and roofing.
  • The new Immigration Holding Centre will be located at 13130 76 Avenue in Surrey, British Columbia. The site is a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police facility that will be retrofitted to become the future Immigration Holding Centre.
  • The new holding centre will have capacity to hold up to 73 detainees.

 

Background information on why CBSA needs key investments in federal immigration detention infrastructure to address failing and inadequate immigration holding centres.

 

Here are some interesting information on the Annual Detention Statistics.

 

Over the past decade an average of 38,484 new immigrants and refugees have settled in BC annually. Between 2011 and 2016, 17% of all BC newcomers came to Surrey. Source: Province of BC, 2016 Census

 

We must remember most people immigrating to Surrey are young, educated and are an integral part of the work force. Canada was founded on immigration. Most families can follow their family tree and find a relative that settled in Canada.

 

Cheers,