Canada will soon have a new senior official guiding its immigration department. On March 4, 2026, the office of Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Ted Gallivan will become the next deputy minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship. The appointment will take effect in the coming weeks, although officials have not confirmed the exact start date.
Gallivan currently works as the interim deputy national security and intelligence advisor to the prime minister. He also serves as executive vice-president of the Canada Border Services Agency. With this appointment, he will step into one of the most influential roles within Canada’s immigration system.
Deputy ministers hold major responsibilities in the federal government. They guide departments behind the scenes and help turn political decisions into practical programs.
Unlike cabinet ministers, who sometimes change roles during cabinet reshuffles, deputy ministers often remain in their positions longer. Their experience allows them to work with several ministers over time while ensuring steady leadership inside government departments.
In general, deputy ministers advise ministers on policy decisions and day-to-day operations. They oversee how government programs run, supervise department staff, and coordinate work with other federal agencies. They report mainly to the minister responsible for the department and, in some cases, also brief the prime minister.
Because immigration policy affects Canada’s economy, labour market, and communities, the deputy minister of immigration plays an especially important role in shaping how the department carries out national plans.
Ted Gallivan brings more than two decades of experience in Canada’s public service. His career began in 2005 when he took the role of director of internal audit for tax operations at the Canada Revenue Agency.
Over the years, he moved through several leadership positions across federal agencies. Many of his roles focused on compliance, operations, and large-scale program management.
He later became director of business registration and corporation programs at the tax agency. From there, he led the Summerside Tax Centre before taking on a senior role as director general of the Business Returns Directorate.
His career continued to advance through positions such as deputy assistant commissioner in both the Collections and Verification Branch and the Compliance Programs Branch. Later, he served as assistant commissioner of the Compliance Programs Branch.
In September 2021, Gallivan joined the Canada Border Services Agency as executive vice-president. Through this position, he gained experience in border security and immigration-related operations. In 2025, he also began serving as the interim deputy national security and intelligence advisor to the prime minister.
His background in border management and federal operations has prepared him for the new responsibilities he will soon take on in the immigration department.
Gallivan will replace Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar, who has served as deputy minister of immigration since January 2024.
Before becoming deputy minister, Dr. Kochhar held the role of assistant deputy minister for the Operations Sector within the immigration department from 2017 to 2020. During his time in the department, he worked closely with several immigration ministers, including Ahmed Hussen, Marco Mendicino, Marc Miller, and Lena Metlege Diab.
The leadership change marks a new chapter for the department as Canada continues to manage immigration programs, border operations, and refugee support.
Gallivan will soon step into the role during a period when immigration policy remains central to Canada’s national planning. The immigration department oversees permanent residence programs, refugee protection, citizenship services, and many other initiatives that shape the country’s future.
With his long experience in government operations and border management, Gallivan now prepares to guide the department’s work in the months ahead.
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