Canada’s immigration system has witnessed a significant increase in deportations, reaching its highest annual level in over a decade, according to recent data obtained by Reuters. By late November 2024, the number of individuals deported had surpassed previous records, driven largely by the growing number of rejected refugee claims. This marks a sharp rise in enforcement, as the government intensifies efforts to address the increasing backlog of refugee claims and concerns about immigration’s role in Canada’s housing crisis.
Data from Canada’s border agency reveals that, from January to November 2024, 7,300 individuals were deported, reflecting an 8.4% increase over the previous year and an impressive 95% jump from 2022. A major driver of this surge has been the significant rise in asylum applications since 2020. As the backlog of refugee claims ballooned, the Canadian government has committed more resources to accelerate deportations, with additional funding earmarked for removals in 2024.
The deportation figures exclude individuals who voluntarily left Canada and those returned to the U.S. under the Safe Third Country Agreement. However, even without these exclusions, the numbers still show a marked rise in removals. Of the 7,300 deported individuals, 79% were those whose refugee claims were rejected, up from 75% in 2023 and 66% in 2022. Additionally, 11% were removed for reasons unrelated to refugee claims, such as overstaying visas, while 7% faced deportation for committing criminal offenses.
This increase in deportations highlights the government’s tougher stance on immigration, particularly as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government seeks to balance the growing refugee claims with public concerns about housing shortages. Canada has been grappling with a record number of asylum seekers, with nearly 280,000 claims pending as of late 2024—the highest backlog in decades.
The surge in deportations, particularly of failed refugee claimants, has raised alarms among human rights advocates. Aisling Bondy, president of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, expressed concerns that individuals could be deported even while their appeals are still pending. “There is a risk of people being sent back to countries where they face persecution, even if there is an error in the risk determination,” Bondy warned.
However, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) maintains that removal orders are only enacted after all legal avenues have been exhausted. “We ensure that all legal recourses have been pursued before proceeding with deportation,” said Luke Reimer, a CBSA spokesperson.
The rise in deportations aligns with a broader trend in Canada’s immigration policy, which includes tightening border enforcement. University of Toronto law professor Audrey Macklin noted that the government’s emphasis on deportations signals a broader political strategy, aiming to showcase the effectiveness of its border control measures. The deportation of refugee claimants, who are often easier to locate, could also serve as a deterrent to other would-be asylum seekers, Macklin added.
Looking ahead, Canada is on track to see even more deportations in the coming years. The government has allocated C$30.5 million to increase deportations over the next three years, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) spent C$65.8 million on removals in 2023-24—an increase from C$56 million the previous year.
Furthermore, Canada’s immigration plan aims to reduce its total number of temporary and permanent residents, potentially increasing the number of individuals eligible for deportation. Government projections indicate that more than 1.2 million temporary residents, including workers and students, will be required to leave the country in 2025, with another 1.1 million expected to follow in 2026.