Canada has a new Immigration Minister! Rachel Bendayan has taken over from Marc Miller as the head of Canada’s immigration system. This change is part of a government reshuffle by Prime Minister Mark Carney ahead of the 2025 federal election.
Let’s dive into what this means for Canada’s immigration policies and what changes we might see.
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan is an experienced politician and lawyer. Before becoming the Immigration Minister, she held various important roles, including:
- Minister of Official Languages
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
- Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade
She was born in Quebec into a Moroccan-Jewish family and studied at McGill University, where she earned degrees in international development and law. Before entering politics, she was a lawyer specializing in international trade law.
What Changes Can We Expect Under Bendayan?
With a new Immigration Minister in place, we can expect some adjustments to Canada’s immigration policies. However, it’s still unclear what specific changes will happen.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has previously mentioned that he supports:
- Keeping immigration levels at a “sustainable” number (similar to pre-pandemic trends)
- Prioritizing people already in Canada for permanent residency
- Reducing the number of temporary foreign workers
If these ideas become official policies, they could affect Express Entry, work permits, and study permits. We’ll have to wait and see how Minister Bendayan shapes immigration policies in the coming months.
What Did Marc Miller Do as Immigration Minister?
Marc Miller made several major changes to Canada’s immigration system, many of which focused on reducing the number of new immigrants due to housing and affordability concerns. Here are some key actions he took:
✅ Limits on Study and Work Permits: Fewer international students and workers were allowed to enter Canada.
✅ Permanent Residency Cap: The number of new permanent residents was reduced to pre-pandemic levels.
✅ Job Market Restrictions: Work permits were restricted in areas with high unemployment.
✅ Focus on In-Canada Applications: More immigration spots were given to people already living in Canada.
✅ Changes to Express Entry: Certain occupations were prioritized or removed.
✅ Stricter Rules for International Students: New rules required certain fields of study or language skills for post-graduate work permits.
✅ Temporary Foreign Worker Program Changes: Fewer work permits were issued.
✅ Family Sponsorship Restrictions: New limits were placed on open work permits for spouses and family members.
Many of these changes were designed to address Canada’s housing crisis and labor market needs. Some policies may continue under Minister Bendayan, but others could be revised.
Why is Immigration So Important in Canada?
Immigration plays a crucial role in Canada’s economy and society. Here’s why:
📌 Filling Job Gaps: Many industries in Canada rely on skilled immigrants, including healthcare, technology, and trades.
📌 Economic Growth: More immigrants mean more businesses, consumers, and taxpayers, which strengthens the economy.
📌 Population Growth: Canada’s birth rate is low, and immigration helps keep the population stable.
📌 Avoiding Recession: In 2023, immigration was credited with helping Canada avoid an economic downturn.
Because of this, the Immigration Minister is one of the most influential positions in the Canadian government. Many past Immigration Ministers have gone on to hold major government roles, such as Housing Minister and Public Safety Minister.
🔹 Will immigration levels go up or down under Minister Bendayan? It’s too early to say for sure, but the government has suggested keeping numbers at a sustainable level, similar to pre-pandemic times.
🔹 Will Express Entry become harder? Some changes were made recently, like prioritizing certain occupations. It’s possible that new adjustments will come under Minister Bendayan.
🔹 Will it be harder for international students to get a study permit? Marc Miller introduced new rules limiting international student numbers. It remains to be seen if Bendayan will keep or change these restrictions.
🔹 Are work permits becoming more difficult to get? There have been recent caps on temporary foreign workers. This might continue under the new government.
🔹 How soon will we see new immigration policies? Changes to immigration policy take time, but we may start hearing updates within the next few months.
Final Thoughts
Rachel Bendayan is stepping into one of the most important roles in Canada’s government. Immigration policies are always evolving, and under her leadership, we may see adjustments that affect permanent residency, work permits, and study permits.
If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada, it’s important to stay informed. Follow Ask Kubeir for the latest updates and expert advice on Canada’s immigration system!
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