The Nav Centre in the City of Cornwall has been contracted by the Government of Canada to assist with Asylum Seekers entering Canada from the United States. Nav Canada will accept 300 Asylum Seekers who will be housed at Nav Canada with an additional Interim Lodging Site located on the Nav Centre property for 500 people using soft shelters.

The Nav Centre has welcomed 244 people over the last two days with additional guests arriving over the next few days.

The Canadian Armed Forces have deployed to Cornwall from the Royal Canadian Dragoons out of CFB Petawawa and other support personnel to set up and operate the soft shelter 500 person Interim Lodging Site. The local Reserve unit, the SD&G Highlander , are also involved in supporting the efforts of the Canadian Armed Forces.

As a host of the Asylum Seekers, the Nav Centre is coordinating efforts with the assistance of the Government of Canada and the City of Cornwall. The City of Cornwall has been contracted (on a full cost recovery basis) to assist with specific services for the Asylum Seekers. “We are here to support the Government of Canada, the Province of Quebec, the Nav Centre and the Canadian Armed Forces in their efforts to respond to Asylum Seekers that have crossed the US/Canada border”, said Commander Bradley Nuttley, Community Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Cornwall.

The Asylum Seekers are housed in the Interim Lodging Facilities like the Nav Centre until they are able to complete processing of their Asylum claim by Canadian Immigration Officials