Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): A growing national debate over immigration enforcement is unfolding in Canada as new figures reveal a massive backlog at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). According to the latest official data, 18,084 deportations have been carried out in the 2024–25 period, yet the agency continues to struggle under unprecedented pressure. CBSA officials say staff are working overtime, but the situation remains severe, with 31,379 individuals currently listed as missing or wanted by the agency. Another 424,000 files remain non-actionable, leaving enforcement efforts stalled and public frustration rising.
A recent survey indicates that nearly 50 percent of Canadians now support mass deportations, reflecting a significant shift in public sentiment as concerns over border enforcement intensify. The Conservative Party has responded sharply to the new numbers, arguing that years of government mismanagement have weakened Canada’s immigration system. Conservative leaders insist that stronger enforcement and faster removals are necessary to restore public confidence, while emphasizing that their call for tougher measures is aimed at maintaining order rather than opposing immigration itself.
The government, defending its approach in Parliament, maintains that Canada remains committed to a fair, lawful, and efficient immigration process. Officials say additional resources and reforms are being directed toward CBSA to manage the growing caseload responsibly. As political tensions rise and the backlog continues to swell, the issue of immigration enforcement is quickly becoming one of the country’s most contentious national debates.
