Maple News reports that Canada has appointed a new Immigration Minister as part of a major cabinet reshuffle ahead of the upcoming 2025 federal election. Rachel Bendayan, the Member of Parliament for Outremont, Quebec, will assume leadership of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), replacing Marc Miller, who served in the role since July 2023.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is reconfiguring his government’s priorities and leadership in anticipation of a national vote. Cabinet reshuffles are a routine political strategy in Canada, often used to recalibrate government direction, reward strong performers, or restore public confidence in key departments.
Bendayan is a seasoned political figure with a strong background in law and public policy. Prior to this appointment, she served as Minister of Official Languages and held several roles as Parliamentary Secretary — notably to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, as well as the Minister of Tourism. Her multifaceted experience suggests a pragmatic and economy-focused leadership style that could shape Canada’s evolving immigration policies.
Born to a Moroccan-Jewish family and raised in Quebec, Bendayan is fluently bilingual and has a distinguished academic background, holding degrees in International Development Studies and Law (civil and common law) from McGill University. Her heritage and multicultural background are expected to resonate with Canada’s diverse immigrant population.
Marc Miller, her predecessor, made substantive contributions during his brief tenure, including efforts to modernize immigration processing and to address labour shortages through policy reforms. His leadership followed that of Sean Fraser, marking a period of rapid change and adaptation within IRCC.
Immigration continues to be a vital and politically sensitive issue in Canada. With economic growth, labour demand, and integration efforts all tied closely to immigration outcomes, the role of Immigration Minister is increasingly central to the federal government’s long-term goals.
As Bendayan steps into this influential role, stakeholders in immigration, business, and academia will be watching closely to see how her leadership shapes Canada’s immigration priorities, particularly in areas like economic immigration, newcomer retention, and refugee resettlement.