Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has reshuffled the cabinet ahead of the 2025 federal election. One of the key changes is the appointment of Rachel Bendayan as the new Immigration Minister, replacing Marc Miller. This change could bring new immigration policies that impact students, workers, and businesses in Canada.
Why Did the Cabinet Change?
Changing government ministers is common in Canada. It allows the Prime Minister to replace underperforming ministers, reward good work, or shift policies to match public opinion. With immigration being a major issue, Carney may be looking for a fresh approach.
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan is a Member of Parliament from Outremont, Quebec. She has experience in politics and law. Before becoming Immigration Minister, she was Canada’s Minister of Official Languages and worked closely with finance and business-related ministries.
Bendayan comes from a Moroccan-Jewish family and studied at McGill University, where she earned degrees in international development and law. Before entering politics, she was a trade and business law lawyer. She also taught at Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law.
What Changes Could She Bring to Immigration?
Marc Miller, the former Immigration Minister, introduced policies that reduced the number of international students and temporary workers coming to Canada. His goal was to address rising housing costs and job competition. Some of his policies included:
- Setting limits on student and work permits;
- Reducing permanent resident numbers;
- Restricting Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in high-unemployment areas;
- Tightening language and study requirements for Post-Graduation Work Permits;
- Limiting international student admissions by province.
The big question now is whether Bendayan will continue these policies, adjust them, or introduce new ones. Since she has experience in economic and trade policies, she might take a more balanced approach—supporting businesses while controlling immigration numbers.
Will This Be Good or Bad for Immigration?
It’s too early to say how Bendayan’s leadership will impact immigration. Some businesses and industries that rely on foreign workers may hope for relaxed rules. On the other hand, if the government keeps restricting immigration, international students and workers may face challenges.
Industries like technology, healthcare, and construction will be watching her closely. People hoping to move to Canada will also pay attention to changes in visa policies, study permits, and work opportunities.
Why Immigration Matters in Canada
Immigration plays a huge role in Canada’s economy and job market. Many past Immigration Ministers have gone on to hold other important government positions:
- Sean Fraser, the minister before Marc Miller, is now Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities.
- Marco Mendicino, an earlier Immigration Minister, later became Minister of Public Safety and is now Mark Carney’s Chief of Staff.
Rachel Bendayan’s decisions will impact not only newcomers but also businesses, housing, and the overall economy. With immigration being a major political issue, her policies will be closely followed as Canada moves toward the 2025 election.
Conclusion
Rachel Bendayan’s appointment as Immigration Minister marks an important change. With her background in law and economics, she might focus on balancing economic needs with immigration policies.
