Canada Sees Highest Deportation Rates in a Decade Amidst Immigration Policy Shift
In 2024, Canada witnessed a significant uptick in deportations, surpassing any year since 2015, marking a decisive shift in the nation’s immigration enforcement approach. With nearly half a million foreign nationals flagged for removal and a mounting backlog of refugee claims, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has intensified its efforts to clear these cases. This aggressive stance comes in response to a growing national concern over issues like housing shortages and border security.
Here, we delve into the data, policies, and human stories behind Canada’s soaring deportation numbers.
2024: A Record Year for Deportations
Data gathered from official sources reveals that between January 1 and November 19, 2024, Canada deported a total of 7,300 individuals. This figure represents an 8.4% increase compared to 2023 and a sharp 95% rise from 2022. Excluding voluntary departures and returns under agreements with the United States, this surge in deportations is the highest annual total since the Liberal government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, took office in 2015.
| Year | Deportations | Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3,743 | — |
| 2023 | 6,727 | +8.4% |
| 2024 | 7,300 (until Nov 19) | +95% |
As of December 31, 2024, Canada’s deportation backlog included approximately 485,359 individuals. This vast number highlights the scope of the issue, with key regions like Ontario and Quebec seeing the highest concentrations of these cases.
Who Is Being Deported?
The bulk of deportations in 2024—around 79% of the 7,300 removals—targeted individuals whose refugee claims were denied. This is a significant increase from previous years, underscoring the government’s shift in priorities to address the growing backlog of asylum cases.
| Deportation Category | Percentage of Total Deportations (2024) |
|---|---|
| Failed Refugee Claims | 79% |
| Visa Violations (Overstays) | 11% |
| Criminal Convictions | 7% |
| Other Reasons | 3% |
Additionally, a smaller proportion—11%—of deportations were due to violations such as overstaying visas, and 7% were related to criminal convictions either within Canada or abroad.
The significant rise in deportations of failed refugee claimants corresponds to the government’s heightened focus on managing the 278,457 refugee claims pending as of early 2025. CBSA spokesperson Luke Reimer stated that the sharp increase in removals was largely due to the surge in asylum applications since 2020, particularly as the country emerged from the pandemic.
Why Is This Happening Now? The Political and Economic Context
The sharp increase in deportations is deeply connected to broader political and economic pressures. Public dissatisfaction with rising immigration levels, particularly in relation to Canada’s housing crisis, has reached a fever pitch. Critics claim that the influx of both permanent residents and temporary workers has exacerbated housing affordability issues, especially in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
In response, the Canadian government has implemented several measures to address these concerns, including increasing the budget for deportations. In 2023-24, the CBSA allocated C$65.8 million for deportations, a sharp rise from the previous year’s C$56 million. Furthermore, an additional C$30.5 million has been earmarked for deportation efforts over the next three years.
The Human Impact of Stricter Immigration Enforcement
While the Canadian government emphasizes the efficiency of its enforcement actions, human rights advocates warn of significant risks to vulnerable individuals. Refugee lawyers have raised concerns about the potential for deportation even when asylum seekers are still appealing decisions regarding the dangers they would face if returned to their home countries.
Aisling Bondy, president of the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, explained that failed claimants could be deported even in cases where there were serious errors in risk assessments. She stressed the importance of ensuring that deportations do not expose individuals to the risk of persecution or human rights violations.
The CBSA, however, maintains that it only proceeds with deportations after all legal avenues for appealing a removal have been exhausted. Despite this assurance, many observers are worried that procedural errors could compromise the fairness of the process as deportations accelerate.
Regional Breakdown and Operational Challenges
Ontario and Quebec are at the heart of Canada’s deportation backlog, together accounting for more than 60% of all cases. Ontario alone has over 120,000 cases, while Quebec has approximately 197,000 flagged for potential removal.
| Region | Number of Cases Pending Deportation (2024) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 120,273 |
| Quebec | 197,029 |
| Unassigned | 123,000 |
However, tracking and processing individuals across Canada’s vast geography presents logistical challenges. The 123,000 unassigned cases reflect difficulties in processing and tracking individuals, many of whom reside in remote or less populated areas.
A Shifting Landscape: Immigration and Policy Change
The surge in deportations comes at a time when Canada is undergoing broader immigration policy shifts. After years of welcoming record numbers of immigrants to fill labor shortages, public sentiment is shifting as concerns over population growth and housing affordability intensify. Consequently, Canada is reducing both its temporary and permanent immigrant quotas.
This shift is reflected in the declining numbers of refugee claims, which peaked at 19,821 in July 2024 before dropping to 11,838 by January 2025. This change in trends may suggest that stricter enforcement measures are beginning to take effect.
Despite these measures, with over 278,457 refugee claims still pending, the Canadian immigration system remains under immense strain.
What Lies Ahead? More Deportations in the Future?
With C$30.5 million allocated for deportations through 2027, it’s clear that Canada is preparing to continue its aggressive removal policies in the coming years. The CBSA’s focus remains on ensuring “efficient and timely” enforcement, particularly for individuals whose refugee claims have been denied.
As Canada’s relationship with the United States continues to evolve, particularly regarding border security, it’s possible that Canada’s deportation policies will align more closely with those of its southern neighbor.
For now, the record-high deportations of 2024 stand as a key moment in Canada’s immigration history, marking a significant shift in the nation’s approach to immigration. Whether this change will help restore public confidence or deepen the divide on immigration policy remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the stakes have never been higher.
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