Ottawa planning processing centre for asylum seekers in Quebec near U.S. border

The Canada Border Services Agency says it’s looking to open a processing centre for asylum seekers near the U.S. border in Quebec as a contingency plan in case of an “influx” of claimants. An RCMP officer checks the border between Quebec and New York State on Roxham Road in St. Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que. on Jan.15, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi) (The Canadian Press)

Canadian authorities are planning to open a processing centre for asylum seekers near the United States border in Quebec in case there is a sharp rise in the number of would-be refugees entering Canada.

Earlier this week, the federal government published a notice seeking office space it could lease to accommodate reception and meal distribution areas as well as a waiting room for up to 200 people at a time.

In an email, the Canada Border Services Agency says the planned processing centre is part of its contingency plans “in the event of an influx of asylum seekers.”

The notice from Public Services and Procurement Canada says the building must be located within a 15-kilometre radius of the official border crossing area in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., south of Montreal.

The notice follows Ottawa’s $1.3-billion announcement in December to beef up border security in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose steep tariffs unless Canada reduces the flow of migrants and drugs across the border.

In November, Quebec Premier François Legault raised concerns about the prospect of a “massive influx of immigrants” to the province due to Trump’s promises to launch a major operation to deport migrants.

The Canada Border Services Agency says the daily average of people crossing into Canada from the U.S. and seeking asylum is nearly half of what it was this time last year, down to 109 claims from 212.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 24, 2025.