Lena Metlege Diab Named Canada’s New Immigration Minister

In a dynamic reshuffle following the federal election victory for the Liberal Party, Prime Minister Mark Carney has named Halifax West Member of Parliament Lena Metlege Diab as Canada’s new Immigration Minister. Diab, who assumes leadership of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), succeeds former minister Rachel Bendayan in a role that is pivotal to shaping the nation’s future demographic and economic landscape.

Diab brings to the federal stage a deep reservoir of experience in public service and legal affairs. Before her appointment, she served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021. During her tenure, she became a trailblazer as the first woman of Lebanese descent elected to a legislature in Canada, as well as the first woman to serve as both Attorney General and Minister of Justice in Nova Scotia. Her groundbreaking achievements laid the foundation for innovative approaches to immigration at the provincial level, including record nominations of new permanent residents and the introduction of immigrant entrepreneur streams.

Born and raised in Halifax to Lebanese immigrant parents, Diab is not only well-versed in the nuances of Canadian multiculturalism but is also trilingual, fluent in English, French, and Arabic. Her robust educational background—holding degrees in commerce from Saint Mary’s University and law from Dalhousie University—complements her public service credentials. In addition, her earlier career as a legal practitioner and small business owner has endowed her with practical insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by newcomers in Canada.

Beyond her primary role as Immigration Minister in Nova Scotia, Diab concurrently managed portfolios such as Acadian Affairs and Francophone Affairs and Labour and Advanced Education. Her multifaceted contributions have underscored the value of integrated policy-making in effectively addressing the needs of diverse communities. Notably, her innovative use of Express Entry–aligned pilot programs and the expansion of provincial immigration initiatives have already demonstrated her capability to harmonize economic priorities with community values.

Immigration remains a cornerstone of Canada’s economic strategy and demographic growth, with the policy area acting as a critical lever to address labor market shortages. Under the renewed leadership of Prime Minister Carney, the federal agenda appears poised for recalibration. The prime minister has previously signaled potential shifts toward scaling permanent immigration to sustainable levels, promoting economic immigration further, boosting francophone immigration, and even reducing temporary resident levels. These strategic recalibrations come at a time when public policy on immigration not only influences labor market trends but also molds the social fabric of the nation.

Minister Diab has repeatedly underscored her commitment to the principles of diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and fairness. As she steps into this influential federal role, many are watching keenly to see how her provincial experience and personal commitment to multicultural values will translate into transformative immigration policies on the national stage—a move that could set a new course for Canada’s future as it continues to welcome and integrate people from across the globe.