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MPs question Lena Diab's performance at question period and in committee
Criticism is coming not only from opposition parties, but also from Diab's own Liberal colleagues.
Away from the cameras, 10 Liberal MPs spoke to Radio-Canada about her performance. They were granted confidentiality in order to express themselves freely.
Of those, only one defended Diab's job performance. Although several of them emphasized that she is a "good person" in charge of a "difficult" portfolio, nine MPs said they believe that the minister is overwhelmed and are openly questioning her place at the cabinet table.
"It doesn't make sense. In the House of Commons, many MPs hold their breath when she answers questions from the opposition," said one Liberal elected official.
"We're afraid she'll put her foot in her mouth."
New Democrat Jenny Kwan, her party's immigration critic, said that both Carney and Diab are responsible for how the immigration file is handled.
"That responsibility is to be responsive to stakeholders, to take these issues seriously, to examine the policies, to evaluate them, to hear from opposition and the public and look for ways to improve them," she said.
"That is their job."
Click image or link to read the news story - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/lena-diab-immigration-minister-criticism-9.7103914
Conservatives are capitalizing on the recent drop in public support for immigration, but risk being seen as too MAGA adjacent, say observers. Meanwhile, the immigration minister's own colleagues question her handling of the file.
The Conservatives’ defeated motion targeting health-care coverage for asylum claimants shows weaknesses on both the part of the Liberal immigration minister and the official opposition leader, with MAGA-like rhetoric posing political risk for the latter, observers say.
Jordan Leichnitz, a former NDP strategist who now works for the German non-profit Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, told The Hill Times in a Feb. 26 interview that the Conservatives’ pressure on the immigration file is a reflection of their own political fragility.
“To me, it’s a manifestation of their political weakness right now. They turn to these arguments because they’re very mobilizing for segments of their base at moments where they feel politically more vulnerable,” she said.
Click image or link to read the news story - https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2026/02/28/failed-asylum-seeker-motion-shows-conservatives-smelled-blood-in-the-water-with-minister-immigration-as-wedge-issue-say-politicos/493465/
The cost of a Canadian passport is about to rise and plans by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to overhaul the way it sets prices could result in them being even more expensive in the future.
An order-in-council adopted in late January calls for the government to begin tying passport prices to the consumer price index (CPI). On March 31, the cost of a Canadian passport will rise by 2.7 percent, the CPI increase in April 2024.
For example, for those applying within Canada, the price of a five-year passport would rise to $123.24 and the cost of a 10 year passport would increase to $164.32. For those who apply from outside Canada, a 10-year passport would cost $267.02.
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said some residents of her Vancouver East riding already have difficulty affording what has become an important piece of ID, even within Canada.
"That's another burden that the Liberal government is putting on everyday Canadians," she said.
Kwan said the plan to overhaul passport prices to better reflect the program's cost "is absolutely code for the government to look to increase the cost of accessing a passport for everyday Canadians."
Kwan said Canadians expect the government to live up to its word.
"When they make a commitment, they should follow up and make sure that they follow through," she said.
Click image or link to read the news story - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-passport-price-increase-9.7109168
At a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Jenny Kwan, the NDP critic for immigration and citizenship, calls on the federal government to reform its Special Immigration Measures program to assist Palestinians with relatives in Canada. She is joined by individuals with family members who have been impacted by the Israel–Gaza conflict. (February 26, 2026) (no interpretation)
Click image or link to watch the Ottawa press conference - https://www.cpac.ca/headline-politics/episode/ndp-mp-jenny-kwan-urges-govt-help-for-palestinians-with-relatives-in-canada?id=3332099f-645c-4f9d-917e-0d0b0a7c346f
Standing beside a podium in a roomful of adults, Joury Alyazji begged Canada to help her reunite with her mother, who is still trapped in war-torn Gaza.
“This month is Ramadan and my mom is not with me,” said the eight-year-old girl, with the microphone held tightly in her hands.
“I wish that every time when I wake up, I can see my mom. And I wish Canada can help me to bring my mom. I cannot be alone. I’m trying my best to speak English. I am trying to do everything to bring my mom. I wish Canada can help me. Please Canada, try your best to help me please.”
On Thursday, Joury was speaking at an Ottawa news conference to call on the federal government to urgently reform and speed up the special immigration program launched in January 2024 to provide temporary refuge to Palestinians with relatives in Canada.
Ottawa has capped the intakes for the program at 5,000 applications, which have since been filled, but many applicants are still stranded inside Gaza, unable to submit biometrics for screening or in Egypt awaiting processing.