The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Represents the riding of Halifax West

The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Halifax West in 2021, and was re-elected in April 2025. She was appointed Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in May 2025.

Minister Diab was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 2013, and re-elected in 2017, serving on the Executive Council during both terms. In addition to serving as Minister of Immigration, she was the province’s first female Attorney General and Minister of Justice. She also held the roles of Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, and Minister of Labour and Advanced Education.

Prior to entering politics, Minister Diab was a small business owner, lawyer and active volunteer. She practised law in Halifax for more than 20 years, served on a number of adjudicative boards and was awarded the Queen’s Counsel designation for service to the legal profession.

Her extensive community involvement and volunteerism earned her numerous honours, including Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Progress Women of Excellence Award, the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award from the Canadian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce, and the Lorita Star Award from the Council of Arab League Ambassadors.

Minister Diab holds a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s University, and a Master of Public Administration and a Law Degree from Dalhousie University. She is also trained in mediation, collaborative family law and interest-based negotiation.