Following the recent federal election victory by the Liberal Party, newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced a new Minister of Immigration.
Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, has been named the new head of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), replacing outgoing minister Rachel Bendayan.
Cabinet reshuffles are a routine occurrence in Canadian politics after elections, offering the prime minister an opportunity to realign ministerial roles in response to performance evaluations, political priorities, or policy direction. The last major shuffle took place in March 2025, when Bendayan succeeded Marc Miller as Immigration Minister.
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Who is Lena Metlege Diab?
Lena Metlege Diab brings extensive legal and political experience to her new role. She previously served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021. She was the first woman of Lebanese descent elected to a Canadian legislature and the first woman to hold the roles of Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Nova Scotia.
During her tenure as Nova Scotia’s Immigration Minister, Diab led major reforms, including record numbers of new permanent resident nominations, the creation of new immigrant entrepreneur streams, and early adoption of Express Entry-aligned provincial programs.
Beyond immigration, Diab also held roles as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, and Minister of Labour and Advanced Education.
Born and raised in Halifax to Lebanese immigrant parents, Diab is fluent in English, French, and Arabic. She holds degrees in commerce and law from Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University, respectively. Before entering politics, she worked as a lawyer and operated a small business. She also served seven terms as president of the Canadian-Lebanon Society of Halifax, becoming its first female president.
According to her campaign biography, Diab’s political values are anchored in “diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and fairness.”
What to Expect from Immigration Policy Under Prime Minister Carney
With Mark Carney now at the helm of Canada’s government, the country’s immigration strategy may see changes. While his official mandate letters to ministers have not yet been released, Carney has previously indicated support for:
- Reducing permanent immigration to more sustainable levels
- Expanding economic immigration pathways
- Increasing francophone immigration
- Limiting the intake of temporary residents
The Growing Significance of the Immigration Portfolio
Immigration remains central to Canada’s economy and population growth. It now accounts for nearly all of the country’s labour force and demographic expansion.
Given its national importance, immigration policy is frequently subject to political debate, media coverage, and public interest. The IRCC has broad discretionary authority to implement changes that impact international students, workers, families, and employers. For example, the minister has the power to introduce or suspend public policies—such as changes to work permit criteria or student work hour limits—without needing parliamentary approval.
As Diab takes over this high-profile portfolio, all eyes will be on how she and Prime Minister Carney shape the future of Canada’s immigration system.
