Border Enforcement Strategy
Date: October 21, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Branch / Agency: CSCCB / PS
Proposed Response:
- Securing the integrity of Canada’s borders and asylum system is essential to making sure we continue to benefit from a world-class immigration system.
- Budget 2019 announced the creation of a Border Enforcement Strategy to address the increasing numbers of asylum seekers, including those who have crossed into Canada irregularly.
- The Government is committed to improving the efficiency of the asylum system.
- To prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to protect the health and safety of Canadians, we extended a temporary measure with the U.S. to restrict entry into Canada for the purpose of claiming asylum for another 30 days, until November 21, 2020.
- The actions we have taken balance the need to ensure that Canada continues to accept those who genuinely need protection, but also safeguards the integrity of our immigration system and the safety of our citizens.
Background:
Like many countries, Canada has experienced a rise in the number of people claiming asylum.
As part of Budget 2019, the Government of Canada announced the creation of a comprehensive Border Enforcement Strategy to address the increasing numbers of asylum seekers, including those who have crossed into Canada irregularly.
The Strategy has three main pillars:
- detect and discourage migration flows – stopping people who are trying to use the asylum system as a means to stay in Canada before they arrive here.
- manage arrivals at the border – ensuring the safety of Canadians, while maintaining contingency plans in the event of an influx of asylum seekers.
- invest in the asylum system – processing more asylum claims faster and removing those who do not need Canada’s protection.
These pillars are consistent with the balance that the Federal Government is seeking to achieve between ensuring that Canada is a place for those who genuinely need protection, but also safeguarding the integrity of our immigration system and the safety of our citizens.
While most of these activities are on hold as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government remains committed to improving the efficiency of the asylum system.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to protect the health and safety of Canadians, we extended a reciprocal and temporary measure with the U.S. to restrict entry into Canada for the purpose of claiming asylum for another 30 days, until November 21, 2020. This means that generally asylum claimants entering Canada from the U.S. between official land ports of entry will continue to be directed back.
Individuals who are directed back will generally have the opportunity to return to make a claim once the border measures no longer apply. For claims made at a land port of entry, the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) will be applied.
Contacts:
Prepared by: David Thelen, A/Director, LEBS, CSCCB, 613-878-0424
Approved by: Natalie Clayton, A/Director General, LEBS, CSCCB, 608-1079
Trevor Bhupsingh, A/ADM, CSCCB, 613-990-2703
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