The new Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the appointment of the Member of Parliament for Halifax West, Lena Metlej, as Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, succeeding Rachel Bendayan. This appointment came as part of a cabinet reshuffle following the liberal party's victory in the recent federal elections, as part of a restructuring aimed at aligning government priorities with new political trends.

Who is Lena Metlej?

Lena Metlej has an extensive career in politics and law, having previously served as the Minister of Immigration in Nova Scotia from 2013 to 2021, during which she achieved significant accomplishments, including.

Achieving record numbers in immigrant resettlement.

Launching programs to support entrepreneurship among newcomers.

Aligning local initiatives with the federal immigration system “Express Entry.”

Metlej is the first woman of Lebanese descent to be elected to a Canadian legislative body, and she was also the first woman to hold the positions of Minister of Justice and Attorney General in Nova Scotia. In addition, she held other positions, including Minister of Labour and Advanced Education in the province.

Metlej was born in Halifax to a family of immigrants from Lebanon, and she is fluent in Arabic, French, and English. She holds degrees in commerce and law from Saint Mary’s University and Dalhousie University, and worked as a lawyer and business owner before entering politics. She also served as the President of the Canadian Lebanese Association in Halifax for seven terms, being the first woman to hold this position.

Immigration Priorities under Carney

Although the government has not yet issued formal mandate letters to the ministers, Prime Minister Carney’s previous statements reflect his orientations towards a new immigration policy. Carney aims to:

Reduce the number of permanent residents to sustainable levels.

Enhance economic immigration to meet labor market needs.

Increase the percentage of French speakers.

Limit the number of temporary residents.

Immigration remains a key pillar in supporting population growth and the workforce in Canada, with immigrants representing nearly 100% of labor force growth and population increase in the country.

This appointment is part of a government trend aimed at achieving a balance between supporting the Canadian economy and meeting the needs of local communities, while ensuring the continuity of an immigration policy that meets the country’s development requirements.