Recent revelations from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have illuminated the agency’s hefty expenditure on private aircraft over the past two years, amounting to nearly $1 million, to deport foreign nationals and transfer them to detention facilities within the country. Internal documents acquired through access to information laws detail a series of luxurious jet charters that raise questions about the agency’s operational choices and costs involved in the deportation process.
High Costs for Chartering Private Jets
Among the most striking expenditures was a $438,000 charter of a Dassault Falcon 900EX private jet in January 2022, used to deport three individuals from Canada. This aircraft, favoured by the affluent, highlights the extraordinary measures taken by the CBSA in specific circumstances. Later that same year, in September, the agency allocated another $130,432 to charter a Bombardier Global 5000, a long-range luxury jet with a capacity for 14 passengers, to transport two foreign nationals out of the country.
A notable detail is the Global 5000’s market value, exceeding US$10 million, with past owners including Liverpool Football Club’s billionaire owner, John Henry. Such expenditures are particularly noteworthy given that the majority of deportations are typically carried out using commercial flights without the need for private jets.
Exceptional Circumstances Justifying Private Flights
CBSA spokesperson Luke Reimer clarified the context in which these charters occur, emphasising that they are rare and reserved for exceptional circumstances. “CBSA’s use of chartered aircraft is limited to situations where commercial options are not feasible,” he stated in an email. The agency has only chartered fewer than five flights since 2020, reflecting the unusual nature of these operations.
In a specific instance in February 2022, the agency again employed a Falcon 900EX, expending $368,810 to facilitate the removal of two foreign nationals and transfer another to a different detention facility. Reimer cited medical and security assessments as critical factors that sometimes necessitate the use of private jets, particularly when commercial air travel is deemed unsuitable.
The Financial Implications of Deportations
The financial burden of deportations is significant. According to CBSA records analysed by Ottawa-based researcher Ken Rubin, the average cost of escorting a foreign national out of Canada is approximately $13,098, while unescorted removals drop to an average of $3,905. In the fiscal year 2024-25, CBSA reported a staggering expenditure of $78,250,480 on deportations and $130,151,809 on detentions, a noticeable increase from the previous year.
Reimer noted that chartering a private aircraft could be prompted by airlines refusing to transport certain detainees or assessments indicating that an individual poses a threat during commercial travel. He added that there are instances where specialised medical care is needed, or where multiple individuals can be transported more efficiently via charter.
Changes in Detention Practices and Their Consequences
The agency’s approach to detention has undergone notable changes, particularly in light of provinces terminating immigration-detention agreements with CBSA. Foreign nationals are now primarily held in designated CBSA facilities located in Surrey, British Columbia, Laval, Quebec, and near Toronto’s Pearson Airport. For the past year, high-risk detainees have been housed in a secure section of a federal prison in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec, a practice that has faced criticism from human rights groups.
Reimer acknowledged that the placement of detainees is assessed on an individual basis, taking into account medical needs, behavioural assessments, and risk levels. However, the practice of detaining immigrants alongside convicted criminals has raised alarm among advocates, including Amnesty International, who argue that this approach undermines the rights of individuals facing deportation.
Why it Matters
The substantial investment by the CBSA in chartering private aircraft for deportations raises critical questions about resource allocation and operational transparency within the agency. As Canada grapples with its immigration policies, the financial implications and ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of foreign nationals cannot be overlooked. With increasing scrutiny from human rights advocates and the public, it is imperative for the CBSA to reassess its practices to ensure they align with both fiscal responsibility and human rights standards.