Ted Gallivan Appointed as New Deputy Immigration Minister

Ted Gallivan Appointed as New Deputy Immigration Minister

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office confirmed on March 4, 2026, that Ted Gallivan will become the new Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. The appointment will take effect in the coming weeks, though an exact date has not yet been announced.

This leadership change places Gallivan at the top administrative level of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a department central to implementing national immigration policy and managing key programs such as the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and other regional initiatives.

Gallivan will succeed Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar, who has served in the role since January 2024.

• Announcement made by the Prime Minister’s Office on March 4, 2026.
• Ted Gallivan to replace outgoing Deputy Minister Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar.
• Effective date of the appointment to be confirmed.
• Gallivan currently serves as interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor.
• Deputy ministers oversee departmental operations and support policy implementation.

Overview of the Appointment

Deputy ministers in the federal government play a critical role in shaping and executing national policy. They are the most senior public servants within their departments and are responsible for advising ministers, managing operations, and ensuring the effective delivery of government programs.

Unlike cabinet ministers, who are political appointees and can be reassigned through cabinet reshuffles, deputy ministers generally hold longer tenures, offering continuity across changes in political leadership.

Responsibilities of a Deputy Minister

Each deputy minister serves as the principal link between political leadership and public service operations. Their duties typically include advising the minister on policy and legal matters, overseeing departmental management, coordinating with other government agencies, and reporting directly to the minister or, in specific cases, to the prime minister.

In the context of immigration, the deputy minister’s leadership influences major federal programs related to permanent residency, refugee resettlement, citizenship, and partnerships with provinces and territories.

Ted Gallivan’s Public Service Background

Ted Gallivan has held several senior positions across federal departments since joining the public service in 2005. His career began at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), where he served as Director of Internal Audit for Tax Operations. Over the following years, he advanced through multiple leadership roles overseeing compliance, verification, and business operations.

Gallivan currently serves as Executive Vice-President of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), a position he has held since September 2021, while also acting as interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister.

Previous Roles

His experience includes the following appointments:

• Interim Deputy National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister (2025–present)
• Executive Vice-President, Canada Border Services Agency (2021–present)
• Assistant Commissioner, Compliance Programs Branch, CRA (2016–2021)
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Compliance Programs Branch, CRA (2014–2016)
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Collections and Verification Branch, CRA (2013–2014)
• Director General, Business Returns Directorate, CRA (2010–2013)
• Director, Summerside Tax Centre, CRA (2010)
• Director, Business Registration and Corporation Programs, CRA (2008–2010)
• Director, Internal Audit, Tax Operations, CRA (2005–2008)

Gallivan’s management background at the CBSA and CRA underscores his expertise in compliance, operations, and service delivery—key areas that align closely with IRCC’s broad administrative demands.

Outgoing Deputy Minister Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar

Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar has served as Deputy Minister of Immigration since January 2024. Before that role, he was Assistant Deputy Minister of Immigration Operations between 2017 and 2020. During his tenure, he worked closely with several federal ministers, including Ahmed Hussen, Marco Mendicino, Marc Miller, and Lena Metlege Diab.

Dr. Kochhar’s period at IRCC included oversight of various modernization efforts and coordination between federal and provincial immigration programs. His leadership contributed to the department’s ongoing work to maintain service standards amid evolving immigration targets.

Significance for Canada’s Immigration Administration

The appointment of a new deputy minister marks a transition at a time when Canada continues to refine its immigration system to support population growth and labour market needs. The deputy minister’s office plays a central role in implementing federal immigration objectives and ensuring coordination with provinces such as Manitoba, which operate their own nominee programs.

As federal immigration levels and program demands evolve, stable senior leadership at IRCC remains a key element in maintaining policy continuity and administrative capacity across Canada’s immigration framework.

Looking Ahead

The Prime Minister’s Office has not yet released the formal date when Gallivan will assume his new responsibilities. Until then, he continues to serve in his current national security advisory role. The transition is expected to take place in the coming weeks, following standard administrative procedures.

Further updates on IRCC leadership and departmental operations are anticipated once the appointment takes effect.

Readers seeking ongoing updates on immigration governance and program management can explore related coverage of Canada’s immigration policy developments and regional initiatives.