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Statement by CBSA regarding the MV Sun Sea - August 13, 2010

Good afternoon/morning, I'm Rob Johnston, Executive Director at Canada Border Services Agency.

Before I take questions, I'd like to clarify some key points regarding the processing of these individuals on board the Sun Sea.

The safety and security of Canada and the health and safety of our staff and individuals on the vessel is our priority and all necessary steps have been taken to prepare for the arrival of this vessel. 

Over the past several weeks, the CBSA has been working with its partners in health and security to prepare for the arrival of several hundred individuals about the Sun Sea.

The CBSA's operational team is ready to process the arrival of the vessel and its passengers in accordance with Canadian law. We are also ready to deal with potential health needs of the individuals on board.

In addition, appropriate examination facilities, and if needed, detention facilities are in place.

It's important to note that updates on the number of passengers, gender, and minors will be provided as soon as we are in a position to provide you facts based on our examinations.

The CBSA will exercise due diligence in the screening of all the individuals for both security and criminal threats. As it becomes available, information that can be shared publicly will be released.

Now, I'd like to run though the CBSA's role in this operation:

Once the vessel arrives in port, the CBSA will work with its health partners to ensure the immediate health needs of the individuals are met and provide access to interpreters.

The CBSA will perform admissibility examinations of all passengers and refugee eligibility determinations should they initiate refugee claims.

All individuals will be processed in accordance with Canadian law, which involves an examination, the taking of fingerprints and photographs, and security and criminal checks.

Where required, we will ensure individuals are placed in the appropriate accommodation and detention facilities.

And, we will work with the RCMP to rummage the vessel and collect evidence concerning any violations of the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act such as human smuggling.

The IRB conducts detention review hearings and refugee proceedings.  CBSA will detain when appropriate and argue continued detention of those individuals deemed to be a security risk, danger to the public, whose identity can not be determined, or those who CBSA believes will not appear for subsequent processing if released.

Individuals released by the IRB under terms and conditions may be required to report to the CBSA at regular intervals. The CBSA is committed to ensuring that those people respect any terms and conditions imposed.

I'll take questions at this time.

 

 

 

Date Modified: 2010-08-13

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