Canada has a new face leading its immigration file. Lena Metlege Diab steps in as Canada’s new immigration minister.
Well, Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Lena Metlege Diab as the new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), following the Liberal party’s recent federal election win.
She replaces Rachel Bendayan, who previously held the role. As is common in Canadian politics, cabinet shuffles like this often follow elections. They allow the prime minister to align the team with new goals, shifting priorities, or performance evaluations.
The last major shuffle happened in March 2025, when Rachel Bendayan took over the immigration portfolio from Marc Miller.
Meet Canada’s New Immigration Minister
As Lena Metlege Diab steps in as Canada’s new immigration minister, she brings extensive political and legal experience to her new federal role. She is no stranger to immigration matters, having served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021.
Diab made history in Nova Scotia as the first woman of Lebanese descent elected to a Canadian legislature. She was also the first woman to serve as both Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Nova Scotia.
During her time as provincial immigration minister, Diab oversaw major developments, such as increasing nominations under new immigrant entrepreneur streams and launching an Express Entry-aligned pilot program tailored to the province’s needs.
In addition to immigration, Diab previously held other portfolios in Nova Scotia, including:
- Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie
- Minister of Labour and Advanced Education
A Halifax native, Lena is the daughter of Lebanese immigrants and speaks three languages. She holds degrees in commerce and law from Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University.
Before entering politics, she worked as a lawyer and ran a small business. Her community involvement is long-standing—Diab served seven terms as president of the Canadian-Lebanon Society of Halifax, where she was the organization’s first female president.
According to her campaign bio from her run for Halifax West MP, Diab is deeply committed to values like diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and fairness.
What To Expect From Immigration Under Carney’s Government?
Now that Lena Metlege Diab is steering IRCC and Mark Carney has taken the reins as Prime Minister, Canadians and prospective immigrants alike are wondering what direction the country’s immigration policy will take.
Though a specific mandate letter has not been released yet, Carney has made several immigration-related priorities clear in past statements. These include:
- Reducing the number of temporary residents
- Adjusting permanent immigration levels to more sustainable targets
- Prioritizing economic immigration
- Boosting francophone immigration outside of Quebec
These policy directions suggest a potential shift from the previous approach, with a renewed focus on long-term sustainability while continuing to meet Canada’s economic and demographic needs.
Why Immigration Is Key in Canadian Politics?
As Lena Metlege Diab steps in as Canada’s new immigration minister, it is vital to know the importance of immigration in Canadian politics.
Immigration continues to be a cornerstone of Canada’s growth and development. It plays a critical role in filling labor market gaps, addressing demographic challenges, and driving the country’s economic momentum.
In fact, nearly 100% of Canada’s labor force and population growth now comes from immigration. Given its importance, immigration is often a central issue in both policy making and public debate.
The immigration minister also wields considerable power. The department can enact public policies that have significant impacts on workers, international students, families, and employers—often without requiring a vote in Parliament.
For example, IRCC has the authority to introduce or adjust public policies like work permit rules or the number of hours international students can work off-campus.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
