Meet Canada’s New Immigration Minister: Lena Diab

Her appointment brings expertise to one of Canada’s most important cabinet roles, and the decisions she makes will have a direct impact on your journey as a newcomer. 

Key Takeaways

• Lena Diab served as Nova Scotia’s Immigration Minister for eight years. 

• Her own experience as an immigrant may shape her approach to immigration policy. 

• Commentary around her appointment notes that we could expect Pro-French policies to continue and (hopefully) a return to greater PNP quotas in the future.  

You can watch the official swearing-in ceremony here, with Immigration Minister Lena Diab being sworn in at the 43-minute mark.  

Who is Lena Diab? 

Born in Halifax to Lebanese immigrant parents, Diab moved to Lebanon as a child and returned to Canada at age 11 during the Lebanese Civil War. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science from Saint Mary’s University, followed by a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Laws from Dalhousie University. Before entering politics, Diab practiced law and operated a small business in Halifax. 

In 2013, Diab was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly for Halifax Armdale. She served as the province’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021, during which time she oversaw increases in immigration numbers and introduced new programs, including Express Entry-aligned and entrepreneur streams. She also held positions as Minister of Justice, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, and Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. 

She was the first female to hold the position of Attorney General in Nova Scotia. 

Minister Lena Diab is also known to be an active community leader. She has been recognized with awards such as the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Nova Scotia Provincial Volunteer Award for her work in the community.  

Implications for Canada’s Immigration Policy 

While specific policy directions under Minister Diab have yet to be announced, her extensive experience in immigration at the provincial level will hopefully bring key changes to Canada’s immigration landscape. We would hope to see greater certainty and more stability in Canada’s immigration system over the next few years under the Carney government. We’ll be keeping a careful eye out for any information she shares about her approach to this appointment as Immigration Minister. 

Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated support for scaling permanent immigration to sustainable levels, increasing francophone immigration, and reducing temporary resident levels. Minister Diab’s background may influence the federal government’s strategies in these areas. 

You can read more about what we expect to see in immigration under Mark Carney.