The Canada Border Services Agency has transferred the current Laval Immigration Holding Centre (IHC) operations to its new facility that centres around the care and wellbeing of detainees.

This is the last major infrastructure project of the National Immigration Detention Framework (NIMF), which was announced in 2016. So far, Canada has invested about  $138 million over 5 years into the NIMF to reduce reliance on provincial correctional centres and upgrade federal facilities.

The newly designed Laval Immigration Holding Centre features video conference capability, and hearing and bond reporting areas to reduce the need for detainees to be transported off site. There will be a multi-denominational worship room and libraries with access to leisure activities and reading materials while in detention. Detainee living units will be split by gender and risk level, with a specialized wing to respect unique needs.

CBSA is also providing the following support services to the Detainees are also accessing translation and expanded health services within the holding centre, along with mental health supports.

Since before the launch of the NIDF, the average length of detention has decreased by 29 per cent and the use of provincial correctional facilities has also decreased by 22 per cent.