Some facts about the three federal immigration detention centres

OTTAWA – Some facts about the three federal immigration holding centres:

Toronto: Built in 2004. Capacity of 195. On-site access to Immigration and Refugee Board hearings, chaplaincy and multi-faith services, counselling, health care providers, recreation facilities, educational programming. Not designed to handle higher-risk detainees.

Laval, Que.: Built in 1950s and adapted for use as holding centre in 1996. Capacity of 144. Due to limitations with provincial jail space in Quebec, all detainees, except highest-risk ones, are held here. No on-site access to Immigration and Refugee Board hearings. But it provides chaplaincy and multi-faith services, counselling, health-care providers, recreation facilities, educational programming.

Vancouver: Short-term facility located at Vancouver International Airport, run by border agency since 1999. Capacity of 24. All detainees in the region, including low and medium-risk, held beyond 48 hours are detained in a provincial facility due to limitations of holding centre. No on-site access to Immigration and Refugee Board hearings, and no educational programming or health-care providers on-site. But it has chaplaincy and multi-faith services, and limited recreation facilities.

(Source: Canada Border Services Agency)