On March 14, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Rachel Bendayan as Canada’s new Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, succeeding Marc Miller. Her appointment signals a potential shift in Canada’s immigration policies at a time of heightened public debate over immigration levels, housing affordability, and labor shortages.
Who is Rachel Bendayan?
Rachel Bendayan has been a Member of Parliament for Outremont, Quebec since 2019 and has held several key government positions, including Minister of Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary for Finance, Small Business, Tourism, and International Trade.
Born in Montreal to a Moroccan-Jewish family, Bendayan pursued her education at McGill University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and a joint degree in Civil Law and Juris Doctor (J.D.). Prior to her political career, she worked as a litigator specializing in international trade and arbitration at Norton Rose Fulbright and later taught law at the Université de Montréal.
Transition in Leadership
Bendayan replaces Marc Miller, who served as Immigration Minister during a time of significant policy changes aimed at addressing Canada’s housing crisis, labor shortages, and population growth management. Under Miller’s leadership, IRCC introduced caps on international student permits, reductions in permanent residency targets, and adjustments to the Express Entry system to prioritize in-demand occupations.
With Bendayan at the helm, stakeholders expect a fresh approach to immigration, particularly concerning Canada’s workforce needs, family reunification policies, and pathways to permanent residency.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect from Bendayan’s Leadership?
As Minister of Immigration, Rachel Bendayan will play a critical role in shaping the country’s immigration system. With federal elections on the horizon, immigration policies will be a key issue, as Canada balances its economic needs with concerns over housing and infrastructure capacity.
Key Priorities Likely to Define Bendayan’s Tenure:
- Addressing Housing and Immigration Pressures – With the government under pressure to slow population growth amid housing shortages, Bendayan may adjust immigration targets while working with provincial governments to support housing initiatives for newcomers.
- Enhancing Labor Market Integration – Expect a stronger focus on sector-specific immigration programs to fill labor gaps in healthcare, construction, and technology through targeted Express Entry draws and new work permit pathways.
- Family Reunification and Humanitarian Immigration – There may be expedited processing for family sponsorships and refugees, particularly in response to global crises and humanitarian needs.
- Digital Transformation at IRCC – Canada has been moving towards more AI-assisted processing and online services to reduce application backlogs and improve transparency. Bendayan is expected to expand digital services to streamline applications.
- Reassessing International Student Policies – Given recent changes limiting student permit approvals, she may revise post-graduation work permit rules to align with labor market needs while ensuring international students have proper support systems.
Bendayan’s legal expertise and government experience position her as a pragmatic leader who will likely aim to balance economic immigration with public concerns over infrastructure and affordability. As she takes office, newcomers, businesses, and advocacy groups will closely watch her policy directions and how they impact Canada’s immigration landscape.
