CIMM – Opening Remarks – April 22, 2026

Standing Committee on Public Accounts
Auditor Generals Report on the International Student Program

Ted Gallivan
Deputy Minister, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship

Ottawa, Ontario
22 April 2026

5 minutes (~461 words)
Check against Delivery

Thank you, Chair, for the invitation to appear on the Auditor General’s report on the International Student Program.

This audit examined reforms initiated by the department to the student visa program that began in 2023, and had a four‑year implementation plan.

The Auditor found clear evidence of improvements:

• fewer student visas issued and a decrease in new arrivals
• an acceptance letter verification system that’s improving fraud detection and prevention
• the cancellation of the Student Direct Stream, which reduced our over-reliance on particular countries and reduced fraud

However, the report also identified a number of failures in the program, making six recommendations.

We have shared with members our management action plan to address these recommendations.

This action plan—which will be fully implemented by end of year—builds on what we have already done to date:

• capped the International Student Program, and work with provincial and territorial partners to better allocate quotas
• increased the cost-of-living threshold to reflect living expenses in Canada
• introduced requirements for a new study permit when transferring schools
• added new penalties for non-compliant learning institutions
• changed off-campus work hours per week, and
• cancelled the Student Direct Stream, which had a high rate of fraudulent activity

Flagged cases

The Auditor’s report highlighted that there were over 153,000 cases flagged for potential non-compliance in 2023 and 2024.

The number of cases of real concern are much more narrow. As outlined in the report:

• 78% were students who were compliant because they had
  • transferred schools
  • transitioned to another immigration status, or
  • sought asylum
• 22% are presumed to have left the country

Let me be clear: that the department didn’t know the status of 22%—or 33,600—is not acceptable.

We’re following up on all cases identified in the report as potentially non-compliant, and flagging specific individuals where warranted.

Under the action plan, we will also

• increase work with provincial and territorial partners to maximize student allocations and share data to inform their recruitment strategies
• assess study permit extensions with a renewed risk lens, in particular for the cancelled Student Direct Stream
• create a process to regularly confirm whether students with expired permits have left, and take enforcement action as needed

Again, we expect to complete these reviews and actions by the end of the calendar year.

Conclusion

International students here on visas are an important talent pool for our future labour market. IRCC’s role is to make sure the rules are followed.

The OAG rightly pointed out that during 2023 and 2024, we weren’t there yet. But we’re working on addressing the issues identified, not only in the student stream, but apply to other visa streams.

IRCC needs to ensure that the rules are followed. And—at the same time—that the program works to attract the students needed.

Thank you. I welcome your questions.