Marc Miller: Profile of Canada’s new immigration minister

In 1984, a young Justin Trudeau asked Marc Miller, a classmate from his advanced English class at the College Jean-de-Brebeuf in Montreal, for a pencil to complete his coursework. Little did they know that this simple interaction would mark the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Fast forward to July 26th, 2023, and Marc Miller has assumed the esteemed position of Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1973, Marc Miller is the son of a Nova Scotian history professor and an anglophone Montrealer mother. He spent his formative years in Montreal and attended the College Jean-de-Brebeuf for his early schooling. At the age of 16, Miller’s adventurous spirit led him to enlist in the Canadian military as an infantry soldier. After serving for four years and attaining the rank of Infantry Commander, he decided to explore other opportunities.

After his military service, Miller pursued higher education in Montreal. He obtained both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science from the Université de Montréal and later earned his law degree from McGill University in both common and civil law. His legal career took him to various locations, including Montreal, Stockholm, and New York City, specializing in commercial law and mergers and acquisitions.

Political Career

Miller’s entry into politics began with his involvement in Justin Trudeau’s bid for Liberal party leadership in 2013, where he served as the Fundraising Director. In 2015, he successfully ran for political office and was elected to represent Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Sœurs, a riding in Quebec. Throughout his term, Miller was commended for his work in securing federal funding for affordable housing and public transit, as well as advocating for the Child Care Benefit for Montreal’s middle-class families.

Miller’s dedication and impact were further recognized when he was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. Notably, he made history in Canadian politics by delivering a speech entirely in Mohawk, an Indigenous language, in the Canadian House of Commons in 2017. His commitment to Indigenous rights led to his subsequent appointments as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and later as Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The Role of Immigration Minister

As Marc Miller assumes his role as Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, his responsibilities include addressing Canada’s top immigration issues and collaborating with the Department of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). He will work closely with the Deputy Minister, Christiane Fox, a non-political civil servant responsible for executing the government’s immigration policies.

Looking ahead, Trudeau is expected to outline Miller’s specific immigration policy priorities through a mandate letter, guiding his focus during the remainder of the Liberal party’s mandate, leading up to Canada’s next election scheduled for October 2025. With his experience and dedication, Miller’s role as immigration minister holds promise for meaningful contributions to Canada’s immigration landscape.