BREAKING NEWS: Rachel Bendayan Appointed as Canada’s New Immigration Minister
- Florence Wele
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
Today, Mark Carney was sworn in as the 24th Prime Minister of Canada, taking over from Justin Trudeau. As part of his newly announced cabinet, Rachel Bendayan has been appointed as Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. Bendayan, the Member of Parliament for Outremont, Quebec, replaces Marc Miller and will now oversee Canada’s immigration system at a time of major policy shifts and record-high immigration targets.
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan brings extensive experience in government and law. Before this appointment, she served as Canada’s Minister of Official Languages and held several key parliamentary secretary roles, including:
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance
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 degree from McGill University. She built a strong legal career at Norton Rose Fulbright, specializing in litigation, international arbitration, and trade law, before transitioning into politics. She has also taught at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law.
Marc Miller’s Tenure and Policy Changes
Marc Miller, who served as Immigration Minister before Bendayan, implemented several policy changes during his tenure. His leadership focused on modernizing the immigration system, reducing processing times, and addressing affordability concerns. Some key changes under his watch included:
Adjustments to post-graduate work permits
New permanent residency pathways
Reforms to the international student program
Despite these efforts, challenges such as backlogs and labor market integration remained significant.
What’s Next? Stay Prepared
With a new immigration minister in office, policy changes are expected, but the direction they will take remains uncertain. Will we see stricter immigration rules, more pathways to PR, or changes to student and work permits? Right now, no one knows for sure.
What we do know is that immigration remains a top priority for Canada, and any upcoming changes could impact applicants at every stage, whether you’re considering Express Entry, family sponsorship, or work permits. This is the time to stay informed and be proactive.
If you're in the process of applying or planning to move to Canada, now is the best time to ensure your application is well-prepared. Don’t wait for policy changes to catch you off guard.
Call/WhatsApp: +1 (306) 585-6565 or book a consultation ! Our team of immigration experts is ready to help you explore your best options and ensure a smooth process.