COW – Progress on Office of the Auditor General of Canada Report – May 28, 2026
Canada is taking back control of its immigration system.
Our measures are working: 79% fewer new student arrivals between January and March 2026, compared to the same period in 2024, and thanks to our measures to attract graduate degree students, Canada is now better positioned to attract top global talent.
We will continue to strengthen the program with concrete steps to address the Auditor General's recommendations.
Canadians expect a well‑managed system that protects students, supports communities, and contributes to a strong economy, and that is exactly what we are delivering.
Progress on potentially non-compliant students from 2023–2024
We have reviewed all of the approximately 153,000 cases flagged by educational institutions in 2023 and 2024, as referred to in the Office of Auditor General report.
Of the 153,000 potential cases
64% of individuals held a valid status
an additional 14% had made asylum claims.
78% were confirmed as having valid status to remain in Canada.
We are now reviewing the remaining 22%. We are confirming who has left Canada and those who have remained in Canada without valid status and could face enforcement action.
We have committed to taking action on all cases where students with expired status have not left Canada. This includes providing the Canada Border Services Agency with a list of people whose temporary status has expired but who have not applied for or received an extension, so that they can determine appropriate enforcement action.
