Canada Overhauls Authority Structure for Immigration Decision-Making
Canada’s immigration system is undergoing a significant internal transformation following the release of a newly updated Instrument of Designation and Delegation (IDD). Published on January 16, 2026, the revised document outlines major changes to how authority is distributed among immigration officers and senior officials.
The restructuring was authorized by Immigration Minister Lena Diab and took effect on December 15, 2025, replacing the previous version issued in March 2025.
What Is the Instrument of Designation and Delegation?
The Instrument of Designation and Delegation is a legally binding framework that allows the immigration minister to formally assign decision-making powers to officials across federal agencies, including Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the RCMP.
Through this document, officers are empowered to make determinations on applications, enforcement actions, admissibility assessments, and refugee matters on behalf of the minister.
Broader Distribution of Decision-Making Powers
Under the updated IDD, the minister has delegated a total of 189 statutory powers to various officials, while retaining 15 powers exclusively at the ministerial level. This marks a notable expansion in operational authority at lower and mid-management levels.
A new Service Delivery Sector has also been created, with officers authorized to:
- Conduct immigration examinations
- Assess medical inadmissibility
- Decide applications for study permits, work permits, and permanent residence
Settlement and Resettlement Operations have received additional authority, including the power to refuse permanent resident visas for applicants intending to settle in Quebec without holding a valid Quebec Selection Certificate. This change is intended to reduce duplication and speed up processing.
Major Geographic Restructuring Inside IRCC
One of the most visible changes is the consolidation of IRCC’s geographic structure. The department has reduced its regional divisions from nine to five, streamlining oversight and operational coordination.
The new geographic regions are:
- Americas and the Caribbean
- Europe, Maghreb and Multilaterals
- Middle East
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Indo-Pacific
Previously separate regions such as South Asia, North Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, Northern Europe, and the United States are now merged under broader regional groupings.
Refugee and Asylum Operations Split Into Two Branches
The updated IDD formally separates refugee-related operations into two distinct branches:
- The Asylum Branch
- The Resettlement, Family, and Humanitarian Branch
Authority over refugee claims has also been divided by officer level. Lower-level officers are now responsible for confirming eligibility, while determinations of ineligibility are reserved for higher-ranking officers. This tiered approach aims to improve consistency while allowing faster initial screening.
Changes to Roles, Titles, and Internal Designations
Alongside structural changes, the IDD introduces several updates to internal titles and functions:
- A new “Manager” designation has been created for PM-05 level officers or equivalents
- Integrity Risk Management has been renamed Migration Integrity Operations
- International officials are now referred to as Migration Officers instead of Immigration Officers
These adjustments reflect an effort to modernize job classifications and align titles with operational responsibilities.
Context: Budget Pressures and Workforce Reductions
This restructuring comes amid broader federal government efforts to reduce public service headcount. IRCC has already announced staffing reductions, and the Liberal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled further workforce cuts across federal departments.
The updated IDD suggests a strategic shift toward fewer staff holding broader authority, with increased reliance on delegated decision-making to maintain service delivery levels.
What This Means for Applicants
For immigration applicants, the changes may result in faster decision-making in some areas, particularly routine applications and preliminary refugee assessments. However, greater delegation also places increased responsibility on individual officers, making accuracy and completeness of applications more important than ever.
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