On May 13, 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab as Canada’s Immigration Minister of 2025. This significant development aims to address Canada’s evolving immigration policies, especially with respect to skilled workers, international students, and temporary foreign residents.

For anyone considering immigration to Canada, this change signals potential policy shifts in Canadian immigration that may impact both Canadian permanent residence and Canadian temporary residence applications, including those applying as temporary foreign workers and international students.

As a leading Canadian immigration law firm, Zohil-Morton Law supports corporations, individuals, and families in navigating Canada’s immigration system with clarity, care, and experience.

Who Is the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Immigration Minister in 2025?

Lena Metlege Diab is a seasoned politician and lawyer representing Halifax West in the House of Commons. Previously, she served as Nova Scotia’s Minister of Immigration from 2013 to 2021, where she launched impactful initiatives like the Nova Scotia Experience: Express Entry stream to attract skilled immigrants to Atlantic Canada. Her extensive experience positions her to implement effective immigration policies at the federal level.

Recent Parliamentary Contributions

Minister Lena Metlege Diab has been highly active in Parliament, demonstrating her commitment to public service and legislative progress:

• 178 Chamber Interventions, covering justice, government priorities, and human rights.
• 2,171 Committee Interventions across various communities, notably in Science and Research, and Justice and Human Rights.
• Sponsored Bill C-268, the Lebanese Heritage Month Act, and jointly seconded four other bills.
• Formally supported four private members’ motions, including those recognizing Polish and Hindu Heritage Months.
• Participated in 922 votes, reflecting her active engagement in parliamentary decision-making.

Key Focus Areas Under Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Immigration Minister in 2025

1. Enhanced Pathways for Temporary Residents

Expect increased opportunities for temporary residents, such as international students and temporary foreign workers, to transition to permanent residence through federal and provincial streams. This approach aims to leverage the skills and integration of individuals already in Canada, contributing to the Canadian economy.

2. Support for Francophone Immigration

Building on her previous work, Minister Diab is anticipated to expand support for French-speaking individuals, particularly outside of Québec. This includes increased opportunities under Express Entry‘s French-speaking Skilled Worker Stream and potential adjustments to work permit policies benefiting francophone professionals.

3. Revised Work Permit Policies

Anticipated changes include tighter Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements to ensure that temporary foreign workers are filling genuine labour shortages. This may impact employers seeking to hire foreign workers and could influence pathways to permanent residence for high-skilled workers.

Implications for Canadian Immigration Applicants

• International students should be aware of the evolving regulations regarding study permits and Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs).
• Temporary foreign workers in high-demand occupations should stay informed about potential changes to Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirements and Canadian work permit policies.
• Employers may need to adapt to new regulations when hiring foreign workers to ensure compliance.
• Francophone applicants may benefit from expanded immigration pathways through targeted Express Entry streams and regional programs, such as the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot program.

As Lena Metlege Diab, Canada’s Immigration Minister in 2025 implements these priorities, staying informed will be essential for applicants and employers alike.

How Zohil-Morton Law Can Help

Minister Diab‘s appointment marks a new era in Canadian immigration policy — one that emphasizes skilled talent, integration, and labour market alignment. As an experienced Canadian immigration law firm, Zohil-Morton Law is dedicated to keeping you informed and prepared.

Whether you’re a corporation seeking assistance to ensure business compliance, a student navigating the PGWP rules, or a skilled worker pursuing Express Entry, we are here to help.

Contact us to schedule a consultation with Cristina Zohil-Morton or e-mail her directly at cristina@zomolaw.ca to receive tailored advice and legal representation.

Let Zohil-Morton Law help you make informed decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and move forward with confidence.