Between 2010 and 2014, an average of 242 children were detained across Canada over immigration violations, according to the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto. “What’s happening with children in detention really runs counter to the narrative of Canada as a global human rights promoter,” said Samer Muscati, the report’s editor. Immigrant deaths expose 'legal black hole' of Canada's detention system Read moreA lack of transparency and oversight mars the system, resulting in what critics have described as a “legal black hole”. “We still don’t have an accurate number or idea of how many children are informally detained.”Those detained hail from around the world with children from sub-Saharan Africa making up the largest group, at 23% of the children detained. The agency said it has been working to “reset the immigration detention program” to increase the use of alternatives and eliminate the detention of minors, except in the most limited and exceptional circumstances.

Source: The Guardian September 22, 2016 15:21 UTC