Federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab stated that she has no knowledge of a reported directive from the Trump administration to the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa instructing its officials to urge Canada to reduce its immigration levels. When asked about potential U.S. influence on Canada’s immigration policies, Diab mentioned that she extensively consulted with economists, government officials, and stakeholders from across the country to determine the country’s future immigration levels.
The New York Times disclosed that a diplomatic cable sent by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to diplomats in various countries, including Canada, instructed U.S. envoys to advocate for reductions in immigration levels and report any perceived excessive support for immigrants by those governments. The cable also requested U.S. ambassadors to address concerns regarding violent crimes linked to individuals with a migration background.
Reacting to the Times report regarding Rubio’s cable, Diab expressed unfamiliarity with the matter unless recent developments had occurred. She made these comments during a press conference in Ottawa, where she unveiled initiatives aimed at supporting the settlement of Francophone immigrants outside Quebec. Diab highlighted that these programs, backed by approximately $3.6 million from the Francophone Immigration Support Program, will fund four new projects to facilitate the recruitment of skilled Francophone immigrants in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and early childhood development.