Abstract

This paper explores the policies and practices of police services in Ontario as they relate to undocumented/non-status community members. The study findings, via interviews with senior police officers, are discussed regarding implications on service provision and police service development of sanctuary city policy and/or the adherence to municipalities’ designation as a sanctuary city. The Toronto Police Service is the only police service in Ontario that has a formal directive on service provision towards undocumented/non-status persons. The current procedure is that once it becomes known to a police officer that someone is undocumented the Canada Border Service Agency is contacted and the municipal police service is no longer involved. The challenges in shifting current police practices are identified.

Highlights

  • While it is difficult to determine how many undocumented/non-status individuals live in Ontario, it is estimated there are as many as 500,000 (Goldring, Berinstein and Bernhard, 2009)

  • The majority of police services raised the issue that while municipalities may have the authority under the Ontario Municipalities Act to vote on and declare a city a sanctuary city, they have no jurisdictional impact on police services

  • While it was identified that municipal police services are not responsible for or involved in the enforcement of immigration law, it was identified by a participant that there are instances when police services will work in partnership with the Canadian Boarder Service Agency (CBSA)

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Summary

Introduction

While it is difficult to determine how many undocumented/non-status individuals live in Ontario, it is estimated there are as many as 500,000 (Goldring, Berinstein and Bernhard, 2009). Advocates, and academics have been highly involved in exploring the challenges the non-status population experiences, including lack of access to basic public services and rights. Sanctuary city policy aims to provide municipal and police services to all residents, regardless of immigration status. It is difficult to determine exactly how many undocumented people live in Canada because there are no official statistics (City of Toronto, Social Development, Finance & Administration, 2012). Literature identifies that undocumented/non-status individuals are living in Toronto, and experiencing significant challenges accessing municipal services based on their immigration status (Magalhaes, Carrasco and Gastaldo, 2010).

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