Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is outlining a renewed strategy to support Francophone immigration beyond 2023, aiming to build on its previous goals and expand opportunities for French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec.
IRCC had previously committed to reaching a target of 4.4% French-speaking immigrant admissions outside Quebec by the end of 2023—a target reaffirmed in the federal Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023 and the 2019 Francophone Immigration Strategy. As of September 2022, French-speaking newcomers represented 3.7% of permanent resident admissions outside Quebec, marking steady progress but still shy of the threshold.
To move forward after 2023, a newly released IRCC memo highlights several strategic action areas aligned with the 2023–2028 Action Plan for Official Languages. Key initiatives include integrating a Francophone perspective into Express Entry reform, extending permanent residency pathways for French-speaking students and workers, enhancing provincial partnerships, and launching a dedicated Centre of Innovation on Francophone Immigration.
One of the focal points is tailoring Express Entry to support Francophone immigration more effectively. With the recent introduction of category-based selection, IRCC has the flexibility to prioritize candidates with French language proficiency. This marks a potentially transformative shift, as Express Entry remains the cornerstone of Canada’s economic immigration system. By embedding a Francophone lens into its reforms, IRCC aims to streamline the selection of bilingual and French-speaking applicants.
Furthermore, IRCC plans to expand various transition paths from temporary to permanent residency for French-speaking international students and foreign workers. This could involve enhancing existing programs or crafting new pilot initiatives targeting specific in-demand sectors or professions. These moves are seen as essential for bolstering the long-term retention of Francophone talent across the country.
Alongside federal measures, regional collaboration is a cornerstone of the updated strategy. IRCC is seeking to work closely with provinces and territories to align Francophone immigration efforts with their economic and labour market needs. A key element of this collaboration involves promoting the value of bilingual workers to employers and community stakeholders.
To anchor these efforts, IRCC is developing a new Centre of Innovation on Francophone Immigration. The centre will support research, programming, and community initiatives through a grants and contributions model. This centralized approach is designed to enhance coordination and long-term support for French-speaking immigrants across various regions.
As Canada continues to evolve its immigration policies, the renewed focus on Francophone immigration reflects a broader commitment to linguistic duality, economic inclusion, and community vitality outside Quebec. With these initiatives, IRCC aims to solidify Canada’s position as a welcoming destination for Francophone newcomers worldwide.