Irregular migration to Canada reaches lowest number since June 2017

A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer announces to a group of asylum seekers that identified themselves as from Haiti, that they will be crossing illegally into Canada as they wait in line to to enter at the US-Canada border in Champlain, New York August 7, 2017. (Christinne Muschi/Reuters)

There were 1,263 irregular border crossers who entered Canada to claim asylum in June 2018, which is the lowest number recorded since June 2017. This number signals a continued decrease from the 1,869 asylum seekers apprehended in May and more than a 50-percent decrease from the 2,560 irregular border crossers who were intercepted in April.

The downward trend can be broken down further. In April, there were on average of 83 asylum claims per day. In May, on average, there were 57 asylum claims per day. In June, there were 39 asylum claims per day. We continue to monitor the situation and remain prepared to handle any possible influx.

As trends in irregular border crossings are difficult to predict, our extensive outreach campaign continues to dispel misinformation about our asylum system. We are ensuring that everyone is aware we have a rigorous system in place and that claiming asylum is not a free ticket into Canada. We are also proactively providing information on the regular immigration streams that are available to those looking to come to Canada for economic purposes.

We continue to work with our partners to alleviate pressures they’re currently facing. On June 1, the Government of Canada pledged an initial $50 million to assist the provinces of Quebec, Manitoba and Ontario, which have borne the majority of costs associated with housing asylum seekers. The funding will flow in the coming weeks, and the federal government remains committed to work with provinces and municipalities on all matters related to irregular migration.