COW – Comprehensive Expenditure Review – May 28, 2026
We are spending less so that we can invest more.
The Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER) is focused on aligning spending with core priorities and delivering more efficiently for Canadians.
Budget 2025 outlines our proposed plans and investment priorities, including cost-saving measures from CER.
The savings presented in Budget 2025 for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) are:
$282.3M in 2026–2027;
$546.9M in 2027–2028;
$619.1M in 2028–2029;
$613.5M in 2029–2030; and
$614.2M Ongoing.
Budget 2025 savings reflect reductions against the federal fiscal framework, including time-limited funding that has not been added to IRCC's future reference levels.
Decisions on sunsetting funding are still under consideration.
It is anticipated that these reductions will involve a decrease of approximately 318 full-time equivalents by 2028–2029.
The Department will reduce costs by scaling housing support with fewer asylum claimants, shifting employer compliance inspections to Employment and Social Development Canada, tightening the Settlement Program eligibility for economic immigrants, introducing Interim Federal Health Program co-payments for supplemental care, and streamlining operations with more technology, fewer consultants, and leaner management.
