On March 14, 2025, Canada witnessed a seismic shift in its political landscape as newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mark Carney made a major change to his cabinet: Immigration Minister Marc Miller was axed from the cabinet.
Replacing him is Rachel Bendayan, a rising star in the Liberal Party, signalling a bold attempt to reshape the government’s image amid swirling controversies and skyrocketing public discontent over immigration policies.
This dramatic cabinet reshuffle, announced during Carney’s inauguration, has set tongues wagging and sparked fierce debate across the nation.
With anti-immigration sentiment surging and international education stakeholders reeling from Miller’s turbulent tenure, Bendayan’s appointment has ignited hope—and skepticism.
Could this be the reset the country desperately needs, or is it just political theater? Let’s dive into the details of this jaw-dropping move and what it means for the Canadian future.
Mark Carney Takes the Helm: A Fresh Face with a Bold Vision
Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, officially stepped into the role of the Canadian Prime Minister on March 14, 2025, following a landslide victory in the Liberal leadership race on March 10.
Known for his financial wizardry and global clout, Carney is a relative outsider to the gritty world of Canadian politics—a fact that many Liberal voters found refreshing after years of Justin Trudeau’s leadership.
Trudeau, who exited the stage amid strained relations with the U.S. relations and Donald Trump’s looming trade war, left behind a sprawling 37-member cabinet that included his close ally, Marc Miller.
Carney wasted no time slashing that number to a leaner 24-member team, dropping several Trudeau loyalists—including Miller—in a move that’s being hailed as a “rebrand” of the Liberal government.
“We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster,” Carney declared during his swearing-in ceremony. “Our team is united, strong, and ready to meet this moment.”
But with only three new faces in the cabinet, critics wonder: Is this really a fresh start, or just a reshuffling of the same old deck?
Marc Miller’s Exit: The End of a Controversial Era
Miller experienced a turbulent tenure as Immigration Minister.
Trudeau appointed Miller, who quickly became a target for criticism as Canada grappled with a housing crisis, an increase in temporary workers, and a backlash against international students.
Over the past 14 months, he rolled out a slew of polarizing policies—often announced late on Friday afternoons, much to the chagrin of stakeholders.
Study permit caps, reduced post-graduate work opportunities, and stricter recruitment rules for international students caused significant disruptions in the Canadian higher education sector, establishing Miller as a symbol of chaos.
“Miller rode a wave of negative sentiment that made Canada feel increasingly unwelcoming,” says Matthew McDonald, a prominent Canadian immigration lawyer, in an exclusive interview.
“His policies created a sense of instability for international students and their families.”
Against this backdrop, Miller’s ousting feels like a deliberate signal from Carney: the Liberal government is ready to turn the page.
However, Miller was more than just a policy expert; he served as Trudeau’s trusted advisor and represented the traditional leadership.
His removal, alongside other Trudeau stalwarts, underscores Carney’s intent to distance himself from his predecessor’s legacy.
Yet, with Carney’s own statements hinting at continuity on immigration—think housing prioritization and reduced temporary workers—some wonder if Bendayan will simply be Miller 2.0.
Rachel Bendayan Steps Up: Who Is Canada’s New Immigration Minister?
Enter Rachel Bendayan, the woman tasked with steering the Canadian immigration ship through choppy waters.
Previously the Minister of Official Languages and Associate Minister of Public Safety, Bendayan brings a robust resume to the table.
Elected to Parliament in 2019 as the first Canadian of Moroccan descent to serve in the federal government, she’s no stranger to breaking barriers.
Now, as one of 11 female ministers in Carney’s cabinet, Bendayan is poised to make history again—this time at the helm of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Bendayan’s legal background and technocratic approach have analysts buzzing. “She’s likely to maintain the IRCC’s methodical, policy-driven style,” McDonald predicts.
“But her role as Official Languages Minister suggests she’ll double down on promoting French-language pathways for permanent residency—a key priority for Quebec and francophone communities.”
This blend of pragmatism and cultural sensitivity could be the secret sauce Canada needs to repair its fractured immigration narrative.
International education stakeholders, battered by Miller’s erratic reforms, are cautiously optimistic.
“My hope is that Minister Bendayan brings a more positive spirit to the immigration conversation,” McDonald adds. “Canada’s story—past, present, and future—is an immigration story. She has a chance to reclaim that legacy.”
Why This Shake-Up Matters: Immigration at a Crossroads
The Canadian immigration system has been under a microscope in recent years, with public opinion souring amid a housing shortage and economic pressures.
The current Immigration Levels Plan aims to shrink the temporary resident population—including students and workers—to 5% of the Canadian population by 2027.
Miller’s hardline measures aligned with this goal, but they also alienated key sectors like higher education, which relies heavily on international tuition fees.
Carney has been vocal about tackling the housing crisis and prioritizing permanent residency for those already in Canada, hinting at a tempered approach to temporary foreign workers.
While he hasn’t explicitly targeted international students, his past critiques of universities’ “over-reliance” on foreign enrollment—coupled with calls for more postsecondary funding—suggest a nuanced shift could be on the horizon.
Bendayan inherits this tightrope. Can she balance economic realities with Canada’s reputation as a welcoming destination?
“This is an existential moment,” McDonald warns. “She has the opportunity to redefine Canada’s identity as a nation built by immigrants.”
The Bigger Picture: Carney vs. Trump and the Road Ahead
Carney’s ascension comes at a pivotal time. With Donald Trump’s trade war heating up south of the border, U.S.-Canada relations are on edge.
Trudeau’s exit and Carney’s arrival mark a strategic pivot as the country braces for economic turbulence.
A streamlined cabinet and a new immigration minister could signal to the world—and to Canadians—that the Liberal government is ready to adapt.
The next federal election, slated for October 2025, looms large. Speculation is rife that Carney might call a snap election before Parliament reconvenes on March 24, capitalizing on his honeymoon period.
Bendayan’s early moves at IRCC will be under intense scrutiny as voters weigh the Liberals’ promises against their track record.
What’s Next for Canada’s Immigration Future?
For now, all eyes are on Rachel Bendayan. Will she soften Miller’s hard edges and restore faith in the Canadian immigration system?
Or will she stick to the script, tweaking rather than transforming? Stakeholders in international education, from university presidents to immigration lawyers, are holding their breath.
Meanwhile, everyday Canadians—frustrated by housing woes and economic uncertainty—want answers.
One thing’s clear: this cabinet shake-up is more than a personnel swap. It’s a high-stakes gamble to redefine the Liberal brand and chart a new course for Canada.
Whether it pays off remains to be seen, but the drama unfolding in Ottawa is guaranteed to keep the nation—and the world—watching.
Mark Carney’s choice to replace Marc Miller with Rachel Bendayan as Immigration Minister possesses all the elements of a viral sensation: intrigue, strategic manoeuvres, and a nation poised for transformation.
Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.
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