Maple News reports that candidates with strong French language skills are set to benefit the most from Canada’s Express Entry category-based selection system in 2024. According to recently released data from an Access to Information Request (ATIP), Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to issue 78.5% of Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through targeted category-based draws, with a substantial share allocated to French-speaking candidates.
Specifically, 30% of all category-based ITAs will go to candidates demonstrating French proficiency—making it the largest share among all prioritized categories. This is followed by candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations at 25%, and those in healthcare professions at 15%. Smaller proportions will go to individuals in trade (5%), transport (3%), and agriculture or agri-food (0.5%) occupations.
The renewed emphasis on French language proficiency supports Canada’s dual-language mandate and reflects the country’s efforts to ensure Canadians can access public services in both English and French. Additionally, labor market research shows that French-speaking economic immigrants tend to have higher employment rates and contribute significantly to bilingual job sectors.
An April 2023 ATIP also highlighted that employers across Canada are struggling to fill bilingual roles, citing a 2021 Labour Market Information Council report. This aligns with recent Statistics Canada findings suggesting that language skills are one of the most important predictors of an immigrant’s economic success in Canada.
Category-based selection draws were introduced in May 2023 as part of IRCC’s strategy to align immigration targets with labor market needs. Rather than relying solely on comprehensive ranking scores, these draws prioritize candidates with experience or attributes in high-demand sectors, including language ability.
With Canada continuing to face skilled labor shortages, especially in bilingual positions, the 2024 Express Entry plan aims to make the immigration system more responsive to market demands while reinforcing Canada’s linguistic diversity.
Maple News will continue to provide timely updates on Express Entry and all developments affecting economic immigration in Canada.