Illegal Border Crossings Now Cost More Than Average Canadian Family's Income

Illegal Border Crossings Now Cost More Than Average Canadian Family's Income

Summary: An internal memo citing an official parliamentary response indicates Canada spends $81,760 per year to house and feed each person who enters via unauthorized land border crossings and claims asylum—exceeding the $68,400 median after-tax family income in 2022 (Statistics Canada). Date: 2025-07-28
Source: Internal Memo (referencing an official parliamentary response)
Program affected: Refugees (asylum system) Canada’s asylum system is facing renewed fiscal scrutiny after an internal memo, reflecting an official parliamentary response, reported an annual per‑claimant shelter and food cost of $81,760 for individuals who arrive through unauthorized land crossings and seek asylum. By comparison, the median Canadian family’s after-tax income in 2022 was $68,400. For perspective:
- Average annual taxes paid by a Canadian family are estimated at $18,000–$25,000, depending on province and income.
- It would take roughly 3 to 5 tax‑paying families working a full year to cover the public cost of one such claimant annually. The figures relate specifically to housing and food for asylum claimants entering irregularly and do not address broader processing or settlement costs. The update underscores pressures on federal and partner systems responsible for basic support while claims are adjudicated. Independent analysis Potential positive impacts:
- Ensures basic support for asylum seekers in line with Canada’s legal obligations during claim processing.
- Centralized funding and shelter may enhance public health and safety and reduce reliance on ad hoc local services. Potential negative impacts:
- Budgetary strain and heightened fiscal debate, especially amid housing pressures in major cities.
- Perception of inequity compared to the median family income and tax burden, with possible effects on public confidence.
- Risk of capacity bottlenecks if arrivals remain elevated, increasing reliance on costly temporary accommodations. Policy considerations to watch:
- Cost containment through procurement and reducing hotel stays where feasible.
- Faster claim processing and work authorization, which can lower public support costs and facilitate self‑sufficiency.
- Intergovernmental cost‑sharing and clearer triage to distribute reception burdens across regions. As Canada balances humanitarian commitments with fiscal stewardship, transparent reporting of per‑claimant costs is likely to shape upcoming policy discussions on irregular migration and refugee reception.

Tags: Canada immigration, refugees, asylum, irregular border crossings, public spending, federal budget, housing and shelters, Statistics Canada, parliamentary response, immigration policy