Mark Carney, Canada’s newly appointed Prime Minister, has unveiled his cabinet ahead of the upcoming federal election, introducing changes to key ministerial positions, including immigration.
Rachel Bendayan, a Member of Parliament representing Outremont, Quebec, has been named Canada’s new Minister of Immigration. She takes over the role from Marc Miller and will now be responsible for overseeing the country’s immigration policies and initiatives.
Cabinet reshuffles are a routine aspect of Canadian governance, allowing the Prime Minister to reassign ministers, reward strong performances, or address policy concerns. These adjustments help align government priorities with public expectations.
The most recent cabinet shake-up occurred in July 2023, when Marc Miller succeeded Sean Fraser as the Minister of Immigration.
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously served as Canada’s Minister of Official Languages. In addition, she has held parliamentary secretary positions under the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Tourism, and the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade.
Born into a Moroccan-Jewish family and raised in Quebec, Bendayan holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and a joint Bachelor of Civil Law/Juris Doctor from McGill University. Before entering politics, she built a successful legal career at Norton Rose Fulbright, specializing in litigation, international arbitration, and trade law. She also contributed to legal education at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law.
Shifting Immigration Policies Under Mark Carney
With a new Prime Minister in office, Canada’s immigration policies may see adjustments under the leadership of Rachel Bendayan. Ministers receive Mandate Letters from the Prime Minister, outlining their objectives and priorities for their tenure.
While Carney’s full vision for immigration remains unclear, his previous remarks suggest he favors policies such as:
- Setting immigration targets in line with sustainable pre-pandemic levels;
- Prioritizing pathways for temporary residents to gain permanent residency;
- Reducing the number of temporary foreign workers.
Marc Miller’s Legacy as Immigration Minister
During his time in office, Marc Miller implemented significant reforms, particularly aimed at regulating immigration levels and addressing domestic affordability issues. His tenure saw several policy shifts, including:
- Imposing limits on the intake of new study and work permit holders;
- Adjusting permanent residency targets to align with pre-pandemic levels;
- Pausing new Labour Market Impact Assessments in high-unemployment metropolitan areas;
- Prioritizing economic immigration programs for individuals already residing in Canada;
- Capping international student enrollments and introducing province-specific quotas;
- Implementing restrictions on Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program;
- Restructuring Express Entry category occupations;
- Introducing new eligibility criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits based on field of study and language proficiency;
- Expanding permanent residence pathways for workers in high-demand trades and construction;
- Restricting Open Work Permits for family members of temporary residents;
- Eliminating arranged employment points from the Comprehensive Ranking System for Express Entry candidates.
The Significance of Immigration in Canada
Immigration remains a cornerstone of Canada’s economic and demographic strategy. It plays a vital role in strengthening the labor market and addressing population growth challenges. During his tenure, Miller emphasized immigration’s role in preventing an economic downturn in 2023.
The significance of the immigration portfolio is further underscored by the career trajectories of past ministers. Sean Fraser, who served before Miller, transitioned to the role of Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities critical amid Canada’s housing crisis. Marc Mendicino, Fraser’s predecessor, later served as Minister of Public Safety and now holds the position of Chief of Staff under Prime Minister Carney.
Canada’s immigration system operates with a degree of autonomy that is uncommon among government departments. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has the authority to enact public policies that directly impact immigration regulations.
For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRCC introduced a temporary policy allowing international students to work unlimited hours off-campus. While the policy has since been revised, students can now work up to 24 hours per week during school semesters, an increase from the previous 20-hour limit.
With Bendayan now at the helm of Canada’s immigration system, further changes and developments in immigration policy can be expected in the near future.
