Top 3 Impacts of Canada’s New Immigration Minister [2025-2026 Guide]

TL;DR: Canada’s new Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, continues the Liberal government’s focus on economic immigration and family reunification. Expect faster processing for skilled workers, expanded pathways for healthcare professionals, and stronger francophone immigration targets—use Evola’s Success Predictor to gauge how policy shifts affect your application.

Who Is Canada’s New Immigration Minister in 2025?

Marc Miller remains Canada’s Immigration Minister as of 2025, appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in July 2023. The former lawyer and Quebec MP oversees Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), managing policies like Express Entry and temporary foreign worker programs. Key facts:

• Background: Served as Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister before IRCC
• Priority Files: Reducing backlogs (current wait times: 6-8 months for Express Entry)
• Recent Change: 2024 mandate letter added housing affordability as a key consideration

How Will the New Minister Change Canadian Immigration Policies?

Minister Miller will likely accelerate existing Liberal priorities with three adjustments. According to IRCC’s 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan, expect:

1. Higher CRS Targets for Healthcare Workers
   New category-based draws for nurses and doctors (2024 quota: 1,500/month)

2. Francophone Immigration Boost
   Goal: 4.4% French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2024 (up from 3% in 2022)

3. Stricter International Student Rules
   Proposed caps on study permits by province (details pending fall 2025 announcement)

Pro Tip: Track real-time CRS cutoffs with Evola’s CRS Calculator, updated within 1 hour of each draw.

What Should Applicants Do Under the New Leadership?

Adjust your strategy with these 4 steps:

1. Prioritize French
   Bilingual candidates now get 25-50 extra CRS points (see CLB Converter for language equivalencies)

2. Target Priority Occupations
   IRCC’s TEER 1-3 jobs list gets 60% of ITAs in 2024

3. Prepare for Faster Processing
   Miller reduced Express Entry processing to 3 months (from 6 months in 2022)

4. Watch for Rural Pilots
   New PR pathways for small towns expected by Q1 2026

Conclusion: Smarter Planning Wins Under Miller’s IRCC

While no radical policy shifts are expected, Minister Miller’s focus on skilled labor gaps and francophone immigration creates targeted opportunities. Stay ahead by:
✅ Using category-based draw trends to time your application
✅ Maximizing French language points where possible
✅ Monitoring IRCC’s newsroom for pilot program launches

Ready to see how you stack up? Get your personalized immigration score now.