Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab has stated that she has no knowledge 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 explained that she extensively consulted with economists, department officials, and stakeholders from across the country to determine Canada’s future immigration levels. She emphasized that the provinces and territories were her primary partners in the decision-making process, as immigration in Canada is a shared responsibility among federal, provincial, and territorial authorities.
A recent report by the New York Times revealed that a diplomatic cable from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed American ambassadors in Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to advocate for reductions in immigration levels and to monitor if governments were excessively supportive of immigrants. The cable also instructed U.S. ambassadors to address concerns about violent crimes linked to individuals with a migration background.
During a press conference in Ottawa, Diab addressed the Times report, expressing her lack of familiarity with the details unless any developments had occurred overnight. She was unveiling initiatives to support the settlement of Francophone immigrants outside Quebec, including investments of approximately $3.6 million in four new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program. These programs aim to attract skilled Francophone immigrants to address shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and early childhood development.