- The CBSA recorded ten thousand six hundred seven enforced removals during the first half of 2026.
- Quebec led all regions with five thousand four hundred sixty-seven removals, exceeding half of the national total.
- Authorities are targeting twenty thousand annual removals through a thirty million dollar funding boost to enforcement capacity.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) recorded 10,607 enforced removals from January 1 to June 30, 2026, with Quebec accounting for more than half and the Greater Toronto Area recording 2,674 cases.
The figures came from updated mid-year immigration enforcement statistics released July 24. They cover the first six months of the year.
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The GTA figure represented about one-quarter of the national total, not nearly half. Quebec recorded 5,467 removals, or slightly more than half of all cases.
Most removals involved rejected refugee claims. Criminality accounted for a smaller share.
The agency reported 8,551 removals involving rejected refugee claimants. Another 1,303 involved non-claimants facing general immigration non-compliance.
Criminality grounds accounted for 624 removals. Misrepresentation accounted for 55, while 41 involved organized crime ties.
The agency also reported 40,827 people in its removals inventory and more than 577,000 cases tracked through its broader case-management system.
Quebec led the country by a wide margin
The regional figures show a sharp gap between Quebec and the GTA. Quebec’s 5,467 removals were more than double the 2,674 recorded in the GTA.
The Pacific Region, covering British Columbia and Yukon, recorded 906 removals. The Prairie Region recorded 839.
Northern Ontario accounted for 316 cases, while Southern Ontario recorded 304. The Atlantic Region had 101 removals.
| Region | Removals |
|---|---|
| Quebec | 5,467 |
| Greater Toronto Area | 2,674 |
| Pacific Region, B.C. and Yukon | 906 |
| Prairie Region | 839 |
| Northern Ontario | 316 |
| Southern Ontario | 304 |
| Atlantic Region | 101 |
The government has linked the enforcement drive to asylum sustainability and efforts against organized crime. The 2026 figures, however, show that non-compliance cases made up the overwhelming majority of removals.
The agency is expanding capacity while targeting extortion networks
Canada’s Border Plan allocated $30.4 million in the latest fiscal cycle to increase removal capacity to 20,000 annually. The enforcement effort also includes a focus on people connected to extortion-related activity.
Since August 2025, officers have prioritized alleged links to extortion networks, particularly in British Columbia and the GTA. As of June 18, 2026, the agency said it had removed 81 people linked specifically to those networks.
Erin O’Gorman, president of the agency, described cooperation with other law-enforcement bodies in a June 25 update.
"The CBSA is working side by side with other law enforcement partners to counter extortion, disrupt criminal networks, and prevent further harm to our communities. We are committed to ensuring that individuals involved in these activities cannot find safe haven in Canada."
Aaron McCrorie, the agency’s vice-president of intelligence and enforcement, defended its use of a “removals in progress” inventory. About 530 officers work specifically on investigations, hearings and removals, he said.
Official reports highlighted the removals of Arshdeep Singh on January 19, 2026, and Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu on February 3, 2026. Both were removed under escort over alleged ties to organized crime and extortion networks.
Immigration targets are tightening as the inventory remains large
The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan seeks to reduce the temporary resident population to less than 5% by the end of 2027. The policy direction includes stricter enforcement involving expired visas and rejected asylum claims.
That target comes as the department manages tens of thousands of people listed in the removals inventory. The broader case-management system contains more than half a million tracked cases, a much larger figure than the inventory of people awaiting removal.
Gary Anandasangaree, the minister of public safety, said the government was focused on “maintaining the integrity of Canada’s immigration program” while keeping the system “fair for those who come to this country lawfully.”
The figures have also drawn criticism from the opposition. Conservative justice critic Frank Caputo has said at least 32,000 people with active warrants remain in Canada without being located, describing the situation as a backlog.
Refugee advocates have raised a separate concern. The Migrant Rights Network and other groups warned that faster removals could weaken procedural fairness, including safety-valve screenings for people who could face risks after return.
The government’s removal capacity target extends to 20,000 cases annually. The first-half total reached 10,607 by June 30, leaving the agency to continue enforcement through the rest of 2026.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
