Lena Metlege Diab Appointed Canada’s New Minister of Immigration

The federal government has appointed Lena Metlege Diab as Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Her appointment comes at a time when Canada’s immigration system is under pressure due to growing processing delays, labour shortages, and increasing demand across immigration programs.

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Diab is a trained lawyer and holds an MBA. Prior to entering federal politics, she served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Justice—the first woman of Lebanese descent to do so—and later became a Member of Parliament. Her professional and political background, as well as her involvement in community affairs, align with many of the realities facing the immigration portfolio.

Among the key issues she is expected to address are the modernization of application processing systems, better geographic distribution of newcomers across Canada, the promotion of Francophone immigration outside Quebec, and the adaptation of immigration policies to regional labour market needs. Observers also highlight the importance of maintaining Canada’s humanitarian commitments while ensuring responsiveness to economic demands.

The early months of her mandate will be closely monitored by policymakers, legal practitioners, and immigration professionals as the department continues to implement its immigration targets and regional strategies. No major reforms have been announced yet, but changes are anticipated, particularly in the areas of economic selection and pilot programs.

Lena Metlege Diab steps into her role at a critical time, with immigration remaining a central pillar of Canada’s economic and demographic growth strategy.