Rachel Bendayan has been appointed as Canada’s new Immigration Minister, taking over from Marc Miller. The Canadian Press
Canada has appointed Rachel Bendayan as its new Immigration Minister. She replaces Marc Miller as part of a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney, ahead of the 2025 federal election. This change is expected to bring a fresh perspective to Canada’s immigration policies, which play a crucial role in the country’s economy and workforce.
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan, a Member of Parliament from Outremont, Quebec, has an extensive political and legal background. She has held multiple government positions, including Minister of Official Languages, and has served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of Small Business.
Bendayan was born into a Moroccan-Jewish family and grew up in Quebec. She holds degrees in International Development Studies and Law from McGill University. Before entering politics, she worked as a lawyer specializing in international trade law and arbitration. She also taught at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law.
What Changes Might Come Under Mark Carney’s Government?
With Mark Carney as Prime Minister, immigration policies may shift. Each minister receives a Mandate Letter outlining their objectives, but Carney’s specific plans for immigration are still unclear. However, his past statements suggest he may:
- Reduce immigration levels to pre-pandemic numbers
- Prioritize temporary residents for permanent residency
- Limit temporary foreign worker programs
These policies indicate that Canada might focus on balancing economic needs with sustainable immigration levels.
Marc Miller’s Impact on Immigration
Marc Miller, the outgoing Immigration Minister, introduced several key changes aimed at controlling the number of newcomers. His policies focused on reducing pressures on housing and affordability. Some of his major decisions included:
- Capping new study and work permits
- Reducing permanent resident immigration to pre-pandemic levels
- Restricting Labour Market Impact Assessments in high-unemployment areas
- Introducing stricter rules for Post-Graduation Work Permits
- Imposing province-specific limits on international student enrollment
- Making changes to Express Entry programs
These measures reshaped Canada’s immigration system, prioritizing economic stability over rapid population growth.
Why Immigration Matters in Canada
Immigration is crucial for Canada’s economy, helping to fill labor shortages and drive growth. Marc Miller often emphasized its importance, highlighting how immigration helped Canada avoid a recession in 2023.
The role of Immigration Minister is highly influential. Former ministers like Sean Fraser and Marco Mendicino moved on to major political positions after their tenure. Fraser now oversees housing and infrastructure, while Mendicino became Chief of Staff under Mark Carney.
Canada’s immigration department also has significant authority to introduce public policies. One example was the temporary policy that allowed international students to work unlimited hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this rule has changed, immigration policies continue to impact students and workers across Canada.
