Maple News reports that Canada is strengthening its commitment to Francophone immigration by adding 5,000 new permanent residence (PR) nomination spaces for French-speaking newcomers. The announcement was made on January 19 in Moncton, New Brunswick by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab during a government press conference.
This increase in PR spots is reserved from Canada’s federal immigration selection quotas and will be allocated to provinces and territories through existing immigration streams such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and other regional pilots. The move aligns with Canada’s long-term strategy to boost Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
These additional spaces reinforce the federal government’s focus on linguistic diversity and aim to support economic and cultural growth across the country. By giving provinces additional capacity to nominate French-speaking candidates, Canada is broadening its immigration framework beyond federal systems like Express Entry.
Although the specific distribution of the 5,000 immigration spaces among the provinces and territories has not yet been outlined, the impact is expected to be significant. Provinces will likely have more opportunities to invite French-speaking candidates, potentially leading to more draws or even new pathways tailored for Francophone applicants.
This development is especially important for provinces aiming to address labor shortages and enrich their communities with bilingual talent. With the added selection spaces, French-speaking immigration candidates will enjoy a competitive edge in the provincial selection process—including better chances of receiving a provincial nomination that leads to permanent residency.
The new allocation also follows a positive trend for Canada’s Francophone immigration goals. For the fourth consecutive year, Canada surpassed its target for French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. According to the immigration minister, French speakers made up around 8.9% of total PR admissions outside Quebec in 2025.
Looking ahead, Canadian immigration authorities confirmed plans to continue raising French-speaking PR targets gradually over the coming years, reinforcing the country’s objective of fostering a strong and diverse bilingual population nationwide. While further implementation details are forthcoming, it’s clear that 2026 will mark a milestone year for Francophone immigration through provincial and regional channels.
As immigrant communities grow and diversify, Canada remains focused on policies that fuel inclusive and sustainable growth. French-speaking newcomers across the globe can expect more accessible opportunities and pathways to settle in Canada.