Neptune Security, the subcontractor that managed the Laval Immigration Holding Centre (IHC), jeopardized security at the detention centre and owes workers at the facility hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages. The federal government must take full responsibility.

Laval, QC, March 24, 2023 – Neptune Security, the subcontractor that managed the Laval Immigration Holding Centre (IHC), owes more than $300,000 to the guards who work at the facility. The workers are members of Teamsters Local Union 931.

Neptune Security made numerous payroll errors and to this day refuses to correct them. The Teamsters Union will use every legal means at its disposal to ensure that the guards receive the money they are owed.

Moreover, CBC’s French-language service, Radio-Canada, revealed yesterday that Neptune Security is a highly suspect corporation, managed by a man with two separate identities, that has previously lost several contracts.

“I find it ridiculous that a shady outfit like Neptune was able to secure an important federal security contract. The guards at the detention centre, who carried the facility through thick and thin, have suffered greatly as a result. The federal government must take full responsibility for this,” said Teamsters Canada President François Laporte.

The Laval IHC is a detention centre for people awaiting deportation and other migrants arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency. The management of the centre was contracted out by the federal government to Neptune Security in July 2022 for a period of three years. However, Neptune was removed from the contract seven months later, having been unable to manage the centre properly.

Nearly two thirds of the 125 guards were affected by payroll errors, reaching up to $1,500 per month. There were also errors in the deduction of union dues and Neptune still owes vacation and sick days to employees after losing its contract.

Understaffing at the detention centre

Due in part to payroll issues, the company was unable to retain security guards at the detention centre. The facility was operating with only half of the 250 officers needed to keep it running. The guards regularly had to work 16-hour shifts to make up for it. Guards quickly became exhausted, causing significant stress for employees and putting the facility’s security at risk.

These problems also resulted in a shortage of female guards, who are essential given that there are families and single women at the detention centre.

“Although Ottawa cancelled the contract with Neptune Security on an emergency basis, the damage remains, and the detention centre still does not have enough guards to keep it running smoothly. The federal government must completely review its outsourcing procedures to ensure that a company like Neptune Security never wins contracts like these again,” added Pierre-André Blanchard, president of Teamsters Local Union 931.

With over 125,000 members, Teamsters Canada is the country’s largest union in the federally regulated private sector. They are affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents over 1.2 million workers in North America.

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Media requests :

Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell : 514-226-6002
[email protected]