Immigration detention decision applauded

VANCOUVER —An advocate with Human Rights Watch says he hopes British Columbia’s decision to end its immigration detention arrangement with Canada Border Services Agency will create a “domino effect” across the country.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced B.C.’s decision to end its deal with the agency to hold immigration detainees in provincial correctional centres on Thursday, saying the arrangement doesn’t align with the province’s stance on human rights.

The move came after calls from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International for B.C. to terminate its contract with the federal government.

Samer Muscati, associate disability rights director at Human Rights Watch, called the decision a “historic step.”

“Hopefully this will end some of the abuses that we’re seeing and prevents people from being detained in the worst conditions, at least in British Columbia. We’re hoping this will create a domino effect where other provinces will take the lead that B.C. is taking to do the same,” Muscati said in an interview Thursday.

“Hopefully this is also a wake-up call for the federal government to realize that the current immigration detention system they have, it’s not sustainable and they really need to look at a paradigm shift in how they do this.”

Farnworth said the province conducted a review that analyzed its contract with the agency, including public safety, and consulted with advocacy groups.

“The review brought to light that aspects of the arrangement do not align with our government’s commitment to upholding human rights standards or our dedication to pursuing social justice and equity for everyone,” he said.

CBSA said it could not respond to questions by deadline.