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Following the Liberal Party’s recent election victory, Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced Lena Metlege Diab as Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. She replaces Rachel Bendayan, who had held the post since March 2025.
A seasoned politician and lawyer, Diab is the Member of Parliament for Halifax West and previously served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021. She made history as the first woman of Lebanese descent elected to a Canadian legislature and the first woman to serve as Nova Scotia’s Attorney General.
Diab brings a strong track record of immigration reform to the national stage. During her time in Nova Scotia, she spearheaded efforts to attract immigrants through entrepreneur programs and Express Entry pilot streams, significantly boosting provincial immigration numbers.
Born in Halifax to Lebanese immigrant parents, Diab is fluent in English, French, and Arabic, and holds degrees in commerce and law. She’s also been an active leader in the Lebanese Canadian community and served as the first female president of the Canadian-Lebanon Society of Halifax.
As Canada’s new Immigration Minister, Diab will help guide the country’s immigration priorities under PM Carney, who has signaled a shift toward more sustainable immigration levels, increased francophone intake, and a reduced reliance on temporary residents.
