Detainee dies in B.C. immigration detention centre on Christmas Day

A detainee being held at the Immigration Holding Centre in Surrey, B.C., died on Christmas Day, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed Tuesday.

In a media release, the CBSA said the detainee was found unresponsive and on-site medical personnel were unable to revive them.

The CBSA said it has notified the person’s next of kin, but it is not releasing their identity for privacy reasons.

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The agency said it was conducting its own review of the death and the Surrey RCMP and BC Coroners Service are also conducting their own investigations.

“The health and safety of those in our care is of paramount importance to the CBSA. We take this responsibility very seriously,” it said.

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The agency said it would not be commenting further on the death.

An RCMP official confirmed officers responded to a sudden death report at the Canada Border Services Agency Immigration Detention Centre on Christmas Day.

Surrey RCMP Cpl. Vanessa Munn added that the investigation has been turned over to the BC Coroners Service.

Global News has reached out to the BC Coroners Service for more information.