Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab has stated that she is not aware of a reported directive sent to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa by the Trump administration, instructing its representative to urge Canada to reduce its immigration levels. Diab emphasized that when determining Canada’s immigration levels, she extensively consulted with economists, department officials, and stakeholders across the country for several months. She highlighted that the provinces and territories played a crucial role as her main partners, as immigration in Canada is a collaborative effort among provincial, territorial, and federal authorities.
A recent report by the New York Times disclosed the existence of a diplomatic cable from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to diplomats in Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The cable allegedly directs U.S. ambassadors in these countries to advocate for reducing immigration levels and to report any perceived excessive support for immigrants by their respective governments. Additionally, the cable instructs U.S. ambassadors to address concerns regarding violent crimes linked to individuals with a migration background.
During a news conference in Ottawa, Minister Diab responded to the Times report regarding Rubio’s cable, stating, “It’s not something I’m familiar with… unless something happened overnight.” She was announcing programs aimed at supporting the settlement of Francophone immigrants outside Quebec, with an investment of approximately $3.6 million in four new projects funded by the Francophone Immigration Support Program. These initiatives are designed to address skills shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and early childhood development while promoting Canada and attracting skilled Francophone immigrants.