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Lena Metlege Diab named Canada’s new Immigration Minister

Canada’s immigration landscape has entered a new chapter with the appointment of Lena Metlege Diab as the country’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Diab takes the reins from former Immigration Minister Rachel Bendayan following the Liberal Party’s victory in the recent federal election. Prime Minister Mark Carney, newly installed as head of government, announced Diab's appointment as part of a broader post-election cabinet shuffle.

This leadership change marks a potentially transformative moment for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as the nation navigates shifting demographic demands, labour shortages, and the political debate around sustainable immigration targets.

Carney’s immigration vision

Diab’s appointment comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney signals a recalibration of Canada’s immigration policy. Although Carney’s official mandate letters to his ministers have not yet been made public, his previous policy positions and public comments suggest a nuanced shift.

Carney has expressed support for scaling back permanent immigration levels to what he calls a more sustainable range, while continuing to promote economic immigration to fill critical labour market gaps. He has also emphasized the importance of increasing francophone immigration and reducing reliance on temporary residents, such as foreign workers and international students.

Who is Diab?

Lena Metlege Diab is no stranger to the immigration portfolio. Before entering federal politics as the Member of Parliament for Halifax West, she held the post of Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021. Her tenure was marked by progressive reforms, including the introduction of innovative provincial immigration streams, record-breaking permanent resident nominations, and the integration of Express Entry-aligned pathways into the province’s immigration strategy.

Diab made history as the first woman of Lebanese descent elected to a legislature in Canada and the first woman to serve as Nova Scotia’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice. She also held the roles of Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, as well as Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, Diab brings not only legal and political expertise but also lived immigrant experience to the role.

Born and raised in Halifax to Lebanese immigrant parents, Diab's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and collaboration is well documented. Before her political career, she was a practicing lawyer and small business owner in Halifax. She also served seven terms as president of the Canadian-Lebanon Society of Halifax, becoming its first female president. These experiences position her as a minister deeply attuned to the challenges and aspirations of both newcomers and long-settled communities.

This approach suggests that under Diab’s leadership, IRCC may focus more heavily on long-term integration and economic contribution rather than high-volume immigration targets. While immigration remains central to Canada’s population and labour force growth—accounting for nearly 100% of both—this recalibration may aim to better align immigration inflows with housing, healthcare, and infrastructure capacities.

The immigration portfolio is one of the most powerful and closely scrutinized in Canadian government. The Minister of Immigration wields significant authority through IRCC’s discretionary powers, which include the ability to implement or rescind public policies without prior parliamentary approval.

These powers have been used in recent years to:

• Set caps on international student work hours;
• Introduce pilot programs to meet sector-specific labour demands;
• Create fast-track pathways for essential workers; and
• Temporarily suspend certain streams, such as the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) and low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs), due to federal allocation limits.

With Diab at the helm, there is potential for new strategic use of these tools to support long-term economic objectives and better regional balance. For instance, her provincial experience may influence greater collaboration between federal and provincial governments to ensure that immigration programs more accurately reflect regional labour needs, particularly in Atlantic and rural Canada.

Future projections

Canada’s demographic reality—a rapidly aging population and a declining birth rate—ensures that immigration will remain essential to long-term prosperity. However, the tone of the new federal government indicates a more measured approach than in previous years.

Economic immigration will continue to dominate, but the push for sustainability may mean tighter controls, fewer public policy exemptions, and more rigorous evaluation of applicants’ potential contributions. This could also lead to a preference for immigrants who are more likely to remain in smaller communities, start businesses, or fill critical occupations.

Moreover, Diab’s appointment may strengthen community-based and culturally sensitive policymaking, informed by her unique combination of legal, provincial, and community experience.

Lena Metlege Diab’s appointment as Canada’s new Minister of Immigration marks a significant moment in the evolution of Canada’s immigration system. With a career rooted in public service, community engagement, and immigrant advocacy, she brings both practical expertise and a deep personal connection to the immigration portfolio.

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit or Migrate to Canada, talk to I Can Help Immigration Services, at +1 778 239 7861 or +1 647 453 7660 with RCIC # R413239, Canada’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company to get the best help you need.