Efrat Arbel
Creator, Detention Stories
Where can I find the graphic novel?
More details soon! The graphic novel will be published in 2026 by the University of Toronto Press.
Are the stories in Detention Stories real?
Yes, the stories are based on real lived-experiences of real people.
Who can be detained in Canada?
Under Canadian law, CBSA can who does not hold Canadian citizenship. This includes refugee claimants, permanent residents, and people who are lawfully working or studying in Canada. There have been at least two reported cases of CBSA detaining Canadian citizens, even though there is no legal basis for them to do so.ou
How long does detention last?
Potentially indefinitely. Canada is one of few countries in the Global North that does not impose legal time limits on detention.
Do you have to be convicted of a crime to be detained?
No. Approximately 90% of people in immigration detention are detained because CBSA suspects they might not appear for a future immigration proceeding, or is not satisfied as to their identity. A small number of people are detained due to past criminal convictions. In those cases, the person will have already been sentenced by a Canadian court and served their time in a criminal correctional facility. Detention takes place only after, and in addition to, a criminal sentence.
