On this page you will find:
- Mark Carney’s latest leadership change in Canada’s public service
- Who Ted Gallivan is and his career background
- How his previous roles prepare him to lead IRCC
- The responsibilities of the Deputy Minister of Immigration
- What the appointment could mean for Canada’s immigration system
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a key leadership change at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), appointing Ted Gallivan as the country’s new Deputy Minister of Immigration.
The appointment was confirmed on March 4, 2026 as part of a wider reshuffle in the senior ranks of Canada’s federal public service.
Gallivan currently serves as Interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister. He will move into the senior administrative role at IRCC in the coming weeks, overseeing one of the most complex departments in the federal government.
The Deputy Minister is the most senior public servant at IRCC and is responsible for managing the department’s operations, delivering immigration programs and advising the government on the implementation of immigration policy.
The change comes as Canada continues to adjust its immigration system to balance economic needs with concerns around housing, infrastructure and program integrity.
Who Is Ted Gallivan?
Ted Gallivan is a veteran Canadian public servant with extensive experience in compliance, taxation, border security and national security policy.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Concordia University and has spent more than two decades in senior leadership roles within the federal government.
Since February 2025, Gallivan has served as Interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister. In this role, he helped coordinate intelligence and security policy at the highest level of government, advising the Prime Minister on national security issues and working closely with federal agencies responsible for border control, intelligence and law enforcement.
Before that appointment, Gallivan served as Executive Vice-President of the Canada Border Services Agency beginning in September 2021. In that role, he was responsible for major operational and enforcement programs at Canada’s borders, including customs operations, immigration enforcement and trade compliance. His work placed him at the centre of Canada’s efforts to manage border security while facilitating travel and trade.
Much of Gallivan’s earlier career was spent at the Canada Revenue Agency, where he held several senior leadership positions focused on compliance and enforcement. As Assistant Commissioner of the Compliance Programs Branch between 2016 and 2021, he oversaw national programs designed to ensure individuals and businesses met their tax obligations.
Earlier roles included Deputy Assistant Commissioner positions in both the Compliance Programs Branch and the Collections and Verification Branch. These roles involved managing enforcement strategies, overseeing audits and collections activities, and strengthening systems designed to detect fraud and non-compliance.
Gallivan also held operational leadership roles earlier in his career. As Director General of the Business Returns Directorate, he oversaw the processing of corporate tax filings across Canada. Prior to that, he served as Director of the Summerside Tax Centre and Director of Business Registration and Corporation Programs, where he helped manage large administrative systems supporting the federal tax framework.
Together, these positions gave him deep experience managing complex national programs, large operational teams and regulatory systems – experience that is highly relevant to the administration of Canada’s immigration system.
Role of the Deputy Minister of Immigration
The Deputy Minister of Immigration is the senior civil servant responsible for running Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
While the Minister sets political direction and introduces legislation, the Deputy Minister ensures the department carries out those policies effectively.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing IRCC’s immigration and citizenship programs
- Overseeing departmental staff and operational budgets
- Providing policy advice to the Minister of Immigration
- Coordinating with other federal departments such as the Canada Border Services Agency
- Ensuring immigration programs operate efficiently and maintain program integrity
The department plays a central role in Canada’s economic and demographic strategy, administering permanent residence, temporary migration, refugee protection and citizenship programs.
Leadership Changes Under the Carney Government
Gallivan’s appointment forms part of a broader effort by Prime Minister Mark Carney to refresh leadership within the federal public service.
Since taking office, the Carney government has emphasised improving efficiency in federal programs while maintaining Canada’s position as one of the world’s leading immigration destinations.
The leadership change at IRCC follows the appointment of Lena Metlege Diab as Canada’s Minister of Immigration in May 2025.
Diab previously served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration and is widely known for expanding provincial immigration programs during her time in office. As federal minister, she has focused on stabilising immigration levels while refining pathways to permanent residence for people already living and working in Canada.
With Diab responsible for political leadership and Gallivan overseeing departmental operations, the new leadership team will guide Canada’s immigration system through its next phase of policy implementation.
What the Appointment Could Mean for Immigration Policy
Although Deputy Ministers do not set immigration policy, they play a crucial role in how programs are administered and enforced.
Gallivan’s background in compliance, taxation and border enforcement suggests he may place particular emphasis on program integrity and administrative efficiency.
Areas that could see increased operational focus include:
- strengthening compliance across temporary immigration programs
- improving coordination with border and enforcement agencies
- detecting fraud within immigration streams
- enhancing oversight of employer and educational institution participation in immigration programs
At the same time, Canada continues to rely on immigration to support economic growth and address labour shortages.
The federal immigration target for 2025 remains set at 395,000 new permanent residents, with programs such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program continuing to play a major role.
Gallivan’s appointment therefore reflects a balancing act – maintaining strong immigration flows while ensuring the system operates with transparency and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ted Gallivan?
Ted Gallivan is Canada’s newly appointed Deputy Minister of Immigration. He is a long-time federal public servant who previously served as Executive Vice-President of the Canada Border Services Agency and Interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister.
What does the Deputy Minister of Immigration do?
The Deputy Minister is the most senior civil servant at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The role involves managing departmental operations, implementing immigration policies, advising the government and ensuring programs such as permanent residence, citizenship and temporary visas run effectively.
Who is Canada’s Immigration Minister?
Canada’s Immigration Minister is Lena Metlege Diab. She was appointed in May 2025 by Prime Minister Mark Carney after the federal election. Diab previously served as Nova Scotia’s immigration minister and has a strong background in immigration policy.
Will Ted Gallivan change Canada’s immigration policies?
Immigration policy decisions are made by the federal government and the Minister of Immigration. However, the Deputy Minister plays a key role in implementing those policies and managing the operations of the immigration department.
Why are senior immigration appointments important?
Leadership changes at the deputy minister level can influence how immigration programs are administered and enforced. A new senior official may bring different management priorities that shape how policies are delivered across the immigration system.
