Annual Report on Official Languages 2023–2024

On this page

• An acknowledgement to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada
• Message from the Minister
• List of acronyms and abbreviations
• List of tables
• Introduction
• Section 1: Towards a substantive equality of official languages
  • 1.1 Governance, roles and responsibilities
  • 1.2 Regulatory implementation
• Section 2: Strengthening government leadership
  • 2.1 Partnerships to Strengthen Part VII of the Official Languages Act
  • 2.2 Official languages awareness events
  • 2.3 Estimation of the number of children of rights-holders
• Section 3: Restoring the demographic weight of French linguistic minority communities
  • 3.1 Policy on Francophone Immigration
  • 3.2 Targeted expansion of promotion and recruitment support
  • 3.3 Corridor for the Selection and Retention of French Teachers in Canada
  • 3.4 Strengthened Integration Pathway
  • 3.5 Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration
  • 3.6 Francophone lens integrated into economic immigration programs
  • 3.7 Helping newcomers learn English and/or French
  • 3.8 Use of French in international diplomacy
• Section 4: Advancing opportunities to learn the two official languages
  • 4.1 Supporting the provincial and territorial governments
  • 4.2 Developing knowledge of the first official language
  • 4.3 Supporting learning and appreciation of the second official language
• Section 5: Strengthening our communities
  • 5.1 Supporting the provincial and territorial governments
  • 5.2 Supporting the development of arts and culture
  • 5.3 Supporting employment and economic development
  • 5.4 Improving access to justice in both official languages
• Conclusion
• Appendix 1 – 2023–2024 Summary of Government Investments in Official Languages
• Appendix 2 – 2023–2024 Expenditures of the Official Languages Support Programs by Component
• Appendix 3 – 2023–2024 Expenditures of the Official Languages Support Programs by Province or Territory
• Appendix 4 – 2023–2024 Education Expenditures
• Appendix 5 – School Enrolment in 2022–2023

Alternate format

Annual Report on Official Languages 2023–2024 [PDF version - 1.01 MB]

An acknowledgement to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada

In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, the Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. This commitment involves recognizing and meaningfully addressing the enduring impacts of colonization, while fostering a better understanding of First Nations, Inuit and Métis worldviews. It also requires an expanded awareness of the responsibility shared by everyone living on these lands to right past wrongs and forge more just and equitable relationships with Indigenous communities across the country.

We would like to begin by acknowledging that the lands on which we live, work and gather, as well as the digital infrastructure enabling our work, lie within the traditional territories of numerous Indigenous nations across the country. We also acknowledge that our national headquarters in Gatineau, Quebec, is on the traditional, unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe People. Since time immemorial, that location has served as a place of meeting and exchange for the Indigenous nations who have always had a presence there.

Indigenous languages are an integral part of the cultures and identities that make up Canadian society. The official languages reform and the revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous languages are two priorities being pursued simultaneously by the Government of Canada. The modernized Official Languages Act recognizes that nothing in the Act is to be interpreted in a manner that is inconsistent with the maintenance and enhancement of languages other than English or French, nor with the reclamation, revitalization and strengthening of Indigenous languages. In keeping with the spirit of the Indigenous Languages Act, the amended Official Languages Act and the new Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act state clearly that nothing in those Acts is to interfere with support for and the promotion of Indigenous languages. At the same time, numerous Indigenous people also use English and French on a daily basis, and many are members of official language minority communities.

Under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Government of Canada has a constitutional duty to consult Indigenous Peoples and accommodate Indigenous rights when considering measures that might adversely impact their potential or established Aboriginal or treaty rights. In addition, the Official Languages Act and the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act provide for mandatory pre-consultations before regulatory proposals are tabled in Parliament, and the Government must actively seek the views of Indigenous communities and make the necessary changes to those proposals. Beyond merely satisfying its duty to consult, the Government of Canada’s objective is to better understand the unique perspectives, issues and values that drive Indigenous communities, in order to ensure that Government initiatives reflect the needs and priorities of those communities.

Message from the Minister

As Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, I am pleased to present the Annual Report on Official Languages for 2023–2024. This past year witnessed two triumphs that were the culmination of sustained efforts and outstanding teamwork: royal assent to the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages—which modernized and strengthened the Official Languages Act and enacted the new Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act—on June 20, 2023; and the release of Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration—the new government-wide official languages strategy—on April 26, 2023. These two achievements, a testament to our commitment to the official languages, have set the stage for our efforts in years to come.

The focus has now shifted to implementing the modernized Official Languages Act. This will involve the adoption of two regulatory regimes: one for the new Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act and one for administrative monetary penalties, a new power to be added to the range of tools available to the Commissioner of Official Languages.

The modernization of the Official Languages Act—especially Part VII, which seeks to advance the equality of status and use of English and French in Canada—has resulted in important changes, and we have every right to be proud of those changes. The Department of Canadian Heritage has played a key role by assuming its new responsibilities under Part VII and working with its partners to ensure a smooth transition to the new legislative framework.

Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028, for its part, provides for new investments of $1.4 billion over five years, bringing the total investment in official languages to an all-time high of $4.1 billion over five years. A major goal of this investment is to protect, and enhance the vitality of, official language minority communities, while giving expression to the hopes, challenges and concerns expressed by Canadians during the 2022 Cross-Canada Official Languages Consultations.

And so it is with pride that I present this report on the 2023–2024 achievements of the Department of Canadian Heritage and federal institutions in support of the official languages and the development of official language minority communities.

Enjoy!

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault

List of acronyms and abbreviations

Acfas

Association francophone pour le savoir

Action Plan 2018–2023

Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future

Action Plan 2023–2028

Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration

Agreement

Collaboration Agreement for the Development of Arts and Culture in the Francophone Minority Communities of Canada

Centre

Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration

Corridor

Corridor for the Selection and Retention of French Teachers in Canada

Council

Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie

ESCQs

English-speaking communities of Quebec

ESDC

Employment and Social Development Canada

FMC

Francophone minority community

IRCC

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

OLA

Official Languages Act

OLMC

Official language minority community

PCH

Canadian Heritage

Policy

Policy on Francophone Immigration

Protocol

Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction

TBS

Treasury Board Secretariat

UFPBA

Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act

List of tables

• Table 1: 2023–2024 Summary of Government Investments in Official Languages
• Table 2: Expenditures of Canadian Heritage’s Official Languages Support Programs – Grand Total
• Table 3: Expenditures of the Development of Official Language Communities Program by Component
• Table 4: Expenditures of the Enhancement of Official Languages Program by Component
• Table 5: Expenditures of the Official Languages Support Programs by Province or Territory
• Table 6: Expenditures of the Official Languages Support Programs by Province or Territory
• Table 7: Expenditures of the “Community Life” Component of the Development of Official Language Communities Program by Province and Territory
• Table 8: Expenditures of the Enhancement of Official Languages Program by Province or Territory
• Table 9: Breakdown of Education Expenditures ‒ Support to Provincial and Territorial Governments
• Table 10: Breakdown of Education Expenditures ‒ Support to Organizations
• Table 11: Minority-Language Education Expenditures by Province or Territory – Intergovernmental Cooperation
• Table 12: Second-Language Learning Expenditures by Province or Territory ‒ Intergovernmental Cooperation
• Table 13: Enrolment in Second-Language Instruction Programs in Majority System Schools – Total for Canada as a Whole
• Table 14: Enrolment in Minority-Language Education Programs – All of Canada
• Table 15: Enrolment in Second-Language Instruction Programs in Majority Education System Schools by Province or Territory
• Table 16: Enrolment in Minority-Language Education Programs by Province or Territory

Introduction

The year 2023–2024 was transitional for official languages. The Government of Canada continued to listen to Canadians, including official language minority communities (OLMCs), while taking their needs and priorities into account in implementing its new milestones.

The Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages, which received royal assent on June 20, 2023, reformed the official languages regime and modernized the Official Languages Act (OLA), marking a turning point in the protection and promotion of the official languages in a diverse and evolving society. In 2023–2024, the Government of Canada worked to implement the resulting new legislative and administrative provisions.

Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection–Promotion–Collaboration (Action Plan 2023–2028) was unveiled on April 26, 2024. It represented a historic investment of $4.1 billion for the 2023 to 2028 period, including $1.4 billion in new funding, and featured 33 new key initiatives and 49 renewed initiatives in various sectors essential to the vitality of OLMCs.

An important pillar of the official languages reform, Action Plan 2023–2028 is based on important principles such as promoting and protecting the official languages; collaborating with federal partners, provincial and territorial governments, and community organizations; and strengthening education and community vitality. The Action Plan employs a “by and for” delivery model that takes into account the needs and priorities of communities. Canadian Heritage (PCH) coordinates the implementation of this ambitious plan with some 20 partner institutions.

This annual report begins with an overview of PCH’s work in support of the implementation of the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages, including the regulatory process. The balance of the report presents a sample of initiatives implemented by federal institutions in the first year of Action Plan 2023–2028 to enhance OLMC vitality and advance the two official languages. Given that the first year of an initiative often serves to lay the groundwork for future results, the results associated with certain initiatives will be presented in future annual reports.

Section 1: Towards a substantive equality of official languages

The year 2023–2024 was transitional for official languages, with the modernization of the OLA and the unveiling of Action Plan 2023–2028. The modernization of the OLA resulted in numerous changes, including new or enhanced duties and responsibilities for federal institutions, as well as new Government of Canada commitments in Part VII.

In 2023–2024, PCH continued to deliver on its mandate, which included implementing its new responsibilities. In addition, PCH worked with its partners to implement its shared responsibilities. Through its efforts, the Department also made steady progress on the regulatory proposals. The work to implement the OLA and its commitments is ongoing.

1.1 Governance, roles and responsibilities

On June 20, 2023, the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages received royal assent. That Act reformed and strengthened the OLA and enacted the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act (UFPBA).

Under Part VII of the OLA, the Minister responsible for Official Languages is in charge of advancing the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society. To that end, the Minister may take measures to support the development and promotion of Francophone culture in Canada.

The Minister responsible for Official Languages is also tasked with developing and maintaining, in consultation with the President of the Treasury Board, a government-wide strategy (i.e. Action Plan 2023–2028) setting out the overall official languages priorities, having that strategy tabled in Parliament and making it accessible to the public. PCH is responsible for coordinating that strategy. Backed by historic funding of $4.1 billion, including $1.4 billion in new monies, Action Plan 2023–2028 is an important instrument for horizontal collaboration between federal institutions and represents a major share of the Government of Canada’s concerted efforts in support of official languages.

Under the modernized OLA, the President of the Treasury Board is responsible for exercising leadership within the Government of Canada in relation to the implementation of that Act. The Treasury Board coordinates the implementation of Part IV (Communications with and Services to the Public), Part V (Language of Work) and Part VI (Participation of English-Speaking and French-Speaking Canadians) of the OLA. In addition, under Part VII (Advancement of Equality of Status and Use of English and French), the Treasury Board is now responsible for establishing, in consultation with PCH, policy instruments concerning two obligations of federal institutions: taking positive measures in support of the Government of Canada commitments with respect to advancing the equality of status and use of English and French; and taking the necessary measures to promote the inclusion of language clauses when negotiating agreements with the provincial and territorial governments.

The modernized OLA also clarifies and strengthens the role of the President of the Treasury Board in ensuring the compliance of federal institutions. The Treasury Board is responsible for supervising those institutions and monitoring their compliance with their official languages obligations, particularly with regard to Parts IV, V, VI and VII of the OLA.

In 2023–2024, PCH continued to work with the Treasury Board on transferring responsibilities formerly assigned to the Minister responsible for Official Languages but now assigned to the President of the Treasury Board. The changes made to the OLA have had the effect of clarifying the roles of federal institutions, enhancing collaboration, assigning an expanded role in the governance of official languages to a central agency, and promoting greater compliance on the part of federal institutions.

To implement the new UFPBA and certain provisions of the OLA, three sets of regulations are needed. The Treasury Board is responsible for working with PCH to develop regulations on positive measures taken by federal institutions under Part VII of the modernized OLA. For its part, PCH is responsible for developing regulations fixing certain parameters of the new regime for federally regulated private businesses, as well as regulations on the new administrative monetary penalties regime that will be available to the Commissioner of Official Languages.

1.2 Regulatory implementation

In 2023–2024, PCH continued to support the implementation of the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages. The Department delivered nearly 30 presentations to federal institutions and target groups to initiate dialogue on the new regulatory proposals.

PCH subsequently focused on laying the groundwork for the regulatory consultations, while also working closely with the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) to support the implementation of the Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages, in keeping with the new roles and responsibilities set out in the modernized OLA. Budget 2024 allocated funds to PCH, TBS and the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to support that implementation. Budget 2024 also proposes to provide $9.6 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to the Courts Administration Service to enhance its capacity to deliver translated decisions by federal courts.

In the spring of 2024, an online questionnaire was made available to all Canadians to obtain their thoughts and feedback on various aspects of the two regulatory initiatives. Between May 9 and July 17, 2024, over 1,300 questionnaires were completed. The responses have guided the development of the two sets of regulations within PCH’s purview:

• regulations establishing the UFPBA regime – these regulations would address such matters as the size of business subject to the UFPBA and what constitutes a region with a strong Francophone presence for the purposes of the Act; and
• regulations under the OLA circumscribing the Commissioner of Official Languages to impose administrative monetary penalties on certain entities.

The spring and summer of 2024 also saw targeted pre-consultations with stakeholders who had an interest in the two new sets of regulations:

• More than 30 meetings were held with upwards of 300 individuals, including sectoral organizations, provincial and territorial governments, federal institutions, official languages stakeholders, employee and employer representatives from federally regulated private businesses, advocacy organizations, and entities that could potentially be subject to the Commissioner of Official Languages’ power to impose administrative monetary penalties.
  • The development process for the UFPBA regulations involved some 23 meetings bringing together over 250 individuals representing more than 150 organizations.
  • The development process for the administrative monetary penalties regulations involved some 18 meetings bringing together more than 140 individuals representing nearly 80 organizations.
• Over 10 briefs were received.
• The pre-consultation process continued in the fall and winter of 2024 with groups representing Indigenous Peoples.

Section 2: Strengthening government leadership

The Government of Canada demonstrates leadership in the area of official languages by advancing the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society, and by enhancing the vitality of OLMCs and supporting and assisting their development. Under the modernized OLA, every federal institution is required to apply an official languages lens to its policies and programs, and determine through consultation- and evidence-based analysis whether positive measures should be taken in support of OLMCs or the advancement of the official languages, or whether mitigating measures should be implemented. To achieve its objectives, the Government relies on partnerships that engage and mobilize federal institutions.

Action Plan 2023–2028 has established the Partnerships to Strengthen Part VII of the Official Languages Act, an initiative originally announced as the Centre for Strengthening Part VII of the Official Languages Act. This joint PCH–TBS initiative ensures government-wide engagement on positive measures in support of the minister responsible for horizontal coordination of official languages.

In addition, the modernized OLA contains a Government of Canada commitment to periodically estimating the number of children of minority-language education rights-holders. Thanks to the investments in Action Plan 2023–2028, Statistics Canada was able to begin the work of providing the provincial and territorial governments, school boards and OLMCs with data to support analysis and decision-making.

2.1 Partnerships to Strengthen Part VII of the Official Languages Act

2023–2024 was the first year of implementation of the Partnerships to Strengthen Part VII of the Official Languages Act initiative. For PCH, this initiative will enable better coordination and implementation of the investments in Action Plan 2023–2028 and foster greater collaboration and regional coordination among the partners and key stakeholders, OLMCs and Canadians more broadly. Collaboration with external stakeholders is based on a “by and for” approach, ensuring that their priorities and interests are taken into account in the decision-making and implementation processes for initiatives.

In 2023–2024, the main focus was transferring, from PCH to TBS, the functions of governance, coordination and support for federal institutions in relation to Part VII, as provided for in the modernized OLA. This included transitioning coordination of the Committee of Assistant Deputy Ministers on Official Languages Secretariat, a keystone in the governance structure of the Official Languages Program. Work also began on transferring the support-to-federal-institutions functions. From now on, TBS will be in charge of the community of practice comprising the resource persons in every federal institution who are responsible for the implementation of section 41 of the OLA.

In 2023–2024, PCH also continued working to raise awareness among federal institutions about their enhanced obligations under the OLA. For example, PCH worked with TBS to deliver over 20 presentations and information sessions on the modernized OLA to various federal institutions. The initiative also focused on regional coordination, interdepartmental cooperation and the organization of events to advance the equality of status and use of English and French in Canadian society.

Regional Official Languages Network

The year 2023–2024 witnessed the establishment of PCH’s Regional Official Languages Network, which seeks to foster the exchange of information and best practices, serve as a forum for discussion of regional priorities and issues, and promote an innovative and experimental approach to developing new practices.

The regional officers who make up the Network provide strategic intelligence on their regions, maintain ongoing dialogue with regional community stakeholders, create opportunities for dialogue between federal institutions and OLMCs, and forge ties between federal institutions and community stakeholders at the provincial/territorial level.

In this way, the Network supports improved coordination, information sharing and partnerships between federal institutions, communities and regional players in the area of official languages, contributing to more effective regional implementation of language policy across Canada.

Calendar of consultations with official language minority communities

During PCH’s recent consultations with OLMCs as part of the Partnerships to Strengthen Part VII of the Official Languages Act initiative, organizations reiterated their desire to see federal institutions harmonize their approaches to consulting the main official languages stakeholders.

In response, PCH launched a pilot project on the GCcollab platform, with the aim of creating an interactive calendar of dialogue and consultation activities planned by federal institutions. This evergreen schedule will help federal institutions coordinate their activities, while helping stakeholders and organizations plan and prepare for events. The calendar can also help identify synergies and make strategic connections, in the interest of more effective collaboration.

2.2 Official languages awareness events

The year 2023–2024 was also marked by numerous events showcasing the official languages and OLMCs across the country. This year served notably to highlight the richness and diversity of Canada’s English- and French-speaking communities and speakers.

Best Practices Forum on Official Languages

In 2023–2024, PCH once again collaborated with TBS and the Council of the Network of Official Languages Champions to deliver an ambitious program for the Best Practices Forum on Official Languages, held February 5 to 9, 2024. Nearly 1,400 federal employees took part in the six virtual workshops offered by various federal institutions, who shared inspiring best practices involving various aspects of official languages. Kiosks and best-practice resources were also available on the Forum’s GCwiki page.

A high point of the Forum was when 2,000 participants gathered to hear “Spotlight on the Modernized Official Languages Act,” a talk featuring Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage and Champion of the Public Service Official Languages Community, and the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, then Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.

International Day of La Francophonie

On March 20, 2024, in partnership with the Canada School of Public Service, PCH held a virtual event entitled International Day of La Francophonie 2024: Let’s Talk About French Culture! The event, which was open to the public, showcased Canada’s Francophone arts community and featured panellists representing Francophone minority communities (FMCs) and the English-speaking communities of Quebec (ESCQs).

The panellists talked about their artistic backgrounds and how bilingualism had enriched their careers. Thanks to the simultaneous interpretation service, a number of participants were able to access the event in English, helping foster an appreciation of the other official language and the associated culture across Canada.

During the talk, a promotional video for the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, sponsored by the Dialogue Foundation, was screened to encourage participants to attend the events being held across the country in celebration of International Day of La Francophonie 2024.

2.3 Estimation of the number of children of rights-holders

Statistics Canada makes available data that informs the decision-making of federal institutions, provincial and territorial governments, stakeholders and community organizations. These data allow for a better understanding of official-languages and OLMC issues, and help guide policy and program development.

The modernized OLA contains a new Government of Canada commitment to periodically estimating the number of children whose parents have, under section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the right to have their children receive their instruction in the language of the English or French linguistic minority population of a province or territory.

Statistics Canada met its objectives for the first year of the new Action Plan 2023–2028 initiative by releasing two analytical products and other information on children eligible for instruction in the minority official language. In addition, the Department began the work of assessing the feasibility of projecting the population of children eligible for minority-language instruction. Consultations were also carried out in relation to the development of such projections.

In 2023–2024, Statistics Canada also delivered the following presentations on population projections for children eligible for instruction in the minority official language:

• September 29, 2023, with PCH: Projections of Children Eligible to Instruction in the Minority Official Language – Objectives, Methods and Data Sources – feasibility study
• February 26, 2024, with the Quebec Community Groups Network and the Quebec English School Boards Association: Projections of Children Eligible for Instruction in the Minority Official Language and Language Projections, Development Plan, 2023 to 2028
• March 18, 2024, with the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada and the Fédération nationale des conseils scolaires francophones: Projections des enfants admissibles à l’instruction dans la langue officielle minoritaire et projections linguistiques, Plan de développement, 2023 à 2028.

The year 2023–2024 also saw the release of the following publications on instruction in the minority official language:

• The School Closest to Home: Proximity of French-Language Elementary Schools and Enrolment in the Maritime Provinces
• Maps and Key Facts on Participation in Regular French Programs in Canada Outside Quebec, 2021
• Instruction in the Minority Official Language of Eligible School-Aged Children, by Eligibility Criterion, Age Group and Level, 2021

The year 2023–2024 also marked the start of the work of updating the open database on French-language elementary and secondary schools in Canada outside Quebec, and English-language schools in Quebec, with the first release scheduled for 2024–2025. In addition, a presentation entitled “Census 2021: Children Eligible to French-Language Schools in Canada Outside Quebec” was delivered at the National Summit on Education held in Ottawa in April 2023.

Section 3: Restoring the demographic weight of French linguistic minority communities

In recent decades, Francophone minority communities across Canada have seen a sharp decline in their demographic weight. Between 1971 and 2021, the Francophone share of the population outside Quebec fell from 6.1% to 3.5%. FMCs are relying on Francophone immigration to counter this demographic decline.

The modernized OLA contains a commitment to restoring and increasing the demographic weight of French linguistic minority communities. It requires the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to adopt a policy on Francophone immigration to enhance the vitality of French linguistic minority communities in Canada. That policy is to include objectives, targets and indicators, as well as a statement whereby the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of Francophone immigration to enhancing the vitality of French linguistic minority communities, including by restoring and increasing their demographic weight. In working to achieve these goals, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has adopted a collaborative approach.

The funding for Francophone immigration in Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future (Action Plan 2018–2023), which helped meet the Francophone immigration targets, has been fully renewed. Building on this progress, Action Plan 2023–2028 makes further significant investments to reverse the decline in the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities, and to contribute to the vitality and development of these communities through Francophone immigration.

3.1 Policy on Francophone Immigration

On January 16, 2024, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship released the Policy on Francophone Immigration (the Policy), which is accompanied by an implementation plan featuring over 40 measures spanning the entire immigration continuum.

Among other things, the Policy calls for an overhaul of the governance of Francophone immigration at IRCC. In the fall of 2023, the Francophone Immigration Branch at IRCC was consolidated so as to cover the entire immigration continuum and lend an integrated, coordinated approach to the Department’s efforts. As a result, those efforts, particularly with regard to the Policy’s flagship promotional measures, have become more coherent. In the coming years, this coordination of efforts within IRCC will undoubtedly pay dividends in the Policy’s action areas, thereby fostering FMC development.

In line with the Policy, on October 24, 2024, new targets for Francophone immigration were announced in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan: 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026 and 10% in 2027, an increase over the 2023 targets for those same years. These were in addition to the Plan’s other measures to strengthen Francophone communities outside Quebec and support their economic prosperity.

In 2023–2024, IRCC and its community partners renewed the terms of reference of the IRCC-FMC Committee in conjunction with community representatives. In addition, IRCC worked with other federal departments, including PCH, to establish collaboration/consultation tables on Francophone immigration and on restoring the demographic weight of Francophones outside Quebec. IRCC, in conjunction with the provincial and territorial governments, launched a consultation on the review of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec to assess its achievements and shortcomings and the challenges it faces.

In addition, in 2023–2024, IRCC updated the Dashboard on Francophone Immigration to Canada (Outside Quebec), a reliable data source on which community partners and provincial and territorial governments can base decisions and actions.

3.2 Targeted expansion of promotion and recruitment support

In October 2023, IRCC began its promotional activities to support the recruitment of French-speaking immigrants. The Department began by hiring additional resources at its Algiers, Beirut, Mexico City, Paris, Rabat, Yaoundé and Ottawa offices dedicated entirely to promoting Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

IRCC also developed a promotional approach and a number of tools to support the promotional activities of its offices abroad, as well as tools to better measure those efforts. These included a naming guide on activity definitions aimed at harmonizing the language used by all departmental branches, a specific post-event survey for Francophone promotional activities to measure the satisfaction rate of participants, and engagement plan templates to ensure a consistent approach across offices with resources dedicated to Francophone promotion.

In 2023–2024, IRCC continued its promotional efforts, organizing and participating in 210 promotional activities focusing on three areas: promoting economic immigration, including the promotion of FMCs, Welcoming Francophone Communities and settlement services; supporting recruitment missions organized by the provincial and territorial governments and employers; and developing partnerships with local institutions.

3.3 Corridor for the Selection and Retention of French Teachers in Canada

Action Plan 2023–2028 contains a series of initiatives to boost foreign recruitment and retention of French and French-speaking elementary and secondary teachers. In 2023–2024, IRCC identified potential barriers to attracting and selecting French and French-speaking teachers from abroad, and to settling and retaining them in Canada outside Quebec. In addition, IRCC consulted with provincial and territorial governments, and held discussions with PCH and Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to ensure a concerted approach. These analyses and consultations will guide IRCC in the preliminary identification of the measures that will make up the Corridor for the Selection and Retention of French Teachers in Canada (the Corridor).

A dedicated team was established to do targeted promotion of Francophone immigration to Canada outside Quebec. One of its priorities is to promote existing IRCC tools and programs that facilitate the hiring and retention of French and French-speaking teachers in French-language school boards and French immersion programs outside Quebec. Collaborative relationships were developed with a number of key partners, such as the provincial and territorial governments, including the provincial and territorial ministries/departments of education, teacher recruitment organizations, French-language school boards and French immersion programs.

IRCC also organized the Early Childhood and Teaching Job Fair: Destination Canada Education, which took place on March 1 and 2, 2024. The event was for French-speaking and bilingual candidates in search of employment opportunities in education in Canada outside Quebec. The purpose of the fair was to connect employers in primary and secondary education, French second-language instruction and other areas with skilled French-speaking and bilingual candidates. Candidates attended virtual conferences and put questions to the officers in real time. In this way, candidates were able to learn more about IRCC’s permanent residency programs, such as Express Entry and Francophone Mobility, two programs aimed at French-speaking immigrants. Thanks to the event, a number of candidates connected with prospective employers.

Through the Corridor’s initiatives, a number of early childhood educators and French teachers at the primary and secondary levels were selected by Express Entry. In 2023 and 2024, a total of 487 and 477 teachers, respectively, were admitted through the economic programs targeting FMCs.

3.4 Strengthened Integration Pathway

The Strengthened Integration Pathway, an IRCC initiative to enhance the existing Francophone Integration Pathway, is intended to facilitate the settlement and integration of newcomers and bolster the reception capacity of FMCs. In 2023–2024, IRCC launched several initiatives under the Strengthened Integration Pathway, including capacity-building in the Francophone settlement and resettlement sector, development of the community strategy to better meet the needs of French-speaking immigrant women, and renewal and expansion of the Welcoming Francophone Communities.

Building the capacity of the Francophone immigrant settlement and Francophone refugee resettlement sector has been a key part of the Francophone Integration Pathway since its inception. In 2023–2024, IRCC focused more specifically on creating forums where stakeholders in the sector and service providers could exchange best practices, and on finding ways to expand the capacity of Francophone service providers and the services provided through Francophone communities to welcome newcomers.

In 2023–2024, IRCC also worked to develop a national community-based strategy to better meet the needs of French-speaking immigrant women settling in FMCs. In 2023, the Alliance des femmes de la francophonie canadienne carried out an initial consultation in the form of an online survey of 343 French-speaking immigrant women. A review of the Canadian scientific literature and a gathering of business intelligence on the international scene were carried out to take stock of the key issues, potential solutions, best practices and international trends in terms of the integration of immigrant women in minority settings. On the basis of these findings, consultations in the form of focus groups with women were held in 2024. These consultations validated the assumptions and confirmed the objectives for meeting the specific needs of immigrant women in each province and territory outside Quebec. The key partners in the area of Francophone settlement in each province and territory were also consulted in the development of this community strategy.

With a view to renewing and expanding the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, IRCC conducted a series of engagements during the 2023–2024 fiscal year, which included consultations and virtual conversations with various stakeholders and recipients. On the basis of the various findings and engagements, the Department developed an approach guiding the terms and conditions for renewal and expansion. This approach made it possible to renew the agreements of the 14 existing Welcoming Francophone Communities to 2028 and to add 10 new communities across the country to the network.

3.5 Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration

On January 16, 2024, IRCC’s Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration (the Centre) launched the Francophone Immigration Support Program, a grant-and-contribution program giving Francophone communities an opportunity to participate in promotional activities and activities to identify, support and recruit French-speaking and bilingual candidates, and to address the labour needs of Canada’s various economic sectors.

In addition to implementing the Francophone Immigration Support Program, the Centre employs promotional officers, whose mandate is to facilitate engagement with various stakeholders, raise employer awareness of the benefits of Francophone immigration in addressing labour needs, and supporting partners to ensure a better understanding of existing immigration programs.

In 2023–2024, the Centre delivered 20 information sessions to more than 350 Francophone stakeholders to raise awareness about new funding opportunities. In addition, new governance, new tools and a process for receiving project concepts were introduced to ensure effective program delivery.

3.6 Francophone lens integrated into economic immigration programs

In support of the new Policy and the commitments in the mandate letter of the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, an analysis of the economic immigration programs was launched at the beginning of 2024–2025. That analysis seeks to identify opportunities to boost the selection and retention of French-speaking and bilingual immigrants through various selection mechanisms and various means of easing the transition from temporary to permanent residency.

The resulting recommendations concerning means and mechanisms of increasing the rate of permanent Francophone immigration outside Quebec—including a new economic program dedicated to Francophone immigration—were presented in early 2025 following consultation with FMCs and other relevant stakeholders.

3.7 Helping newcomers learn English and/or French

As part of the direct assessment and adapted language training services initiative, IRCC’s Settlement Program funds flexible, accessible language training services in both official languages. These initiatives address the specific social and professional integration needs of newcomers, thereby supporting linguistic duality and FMC development. Under the Program, seven existing direct projects have been funded through to March 2025, and new projects will be funded beginning April 1, 2025. In 2023–2024, 996 clients benefited from language training services funded by Action Plan 2023–2028.

IRCC also allocated funds to various initiatives to improve the attraction, reception and integration of newcomers to FMCs. National projects received funding to build capacity in the French language-training sector by providing professional development, resources and tools facilitating access to learning technologies. Providers of direct language assessment and training services include Collège Boréal in Ontario and the Société du centre scolaire communautaire de Calgary in Alberta.

3.8 Use of French in international diplomacy

Under the modernized OLA, the Government of Canada is committed to advancing the use of English and French in the conduct of Canada’s external affairs and to promoting French as part of Canada’s diplomatic relations. The image that Global Affairs Canada projects internationally influences the status of the official languages at home and on the international stage, while the language used by its representatives abroad affects such things as the perceptions of newcomers, international trade, and diplomatic and cultural relations.

In 2023–2024, Global Affairs Canada and its various Canadian missions abroad continued to actively advance the equality of status and use of English and French internationally through cultural diplomacy, organizing various events and initiatives, such as film screenings, Francophone festivals and collaborations with cultural institutions. A number of Canadian missions work in partnership with local organizations and Francophone organizations to strengthen the presence and visibility of French in diplomatic, commercial and educational contexts, including through organizational diplomacy networks and linguistic tools. Lastly, best practices, such as language exchanges, educational resources and the promotion of official languages in communications, demonstrate Canada’s commitment to supporting the Francophonie within OLMCs and around the world.

Section 4: Advancing opportunities to learn the two official languages

Education is a cornerstone of the development and vitality of OLMCs and bilingualism. Strong educational institutions are essential to ensuring learning opportunities for members of OLMCs in their first official language and to providing all Canadians with opportunities to learn and appreciate their second official language.

In recent years, the Government of Canada has taken concrete steps to achieve its education goals. For example, the modernized OLA commits the Government to advancing formal, non-formal and informal opportunities for members of English and French linguistic minority communities to pursue quality learning in their own language throughout their lives.

Action Plan 2018–2023 provided for significant federal investments in education, resulting in notable advances in this area. Those ongoing investments in education are complemented by a variety of new measures in Action Plan 2023–2028 that support minority-language education, French second-language learning and post-secondary education in the minority language, as well as enhanced federal investments in teacher recruitment and retention, and educational and community infrastructure. PCH will build on these advances as it continues supporting quality education and the academic success of learners in every province and territory.

4.1 Supporting the provincial and territorial governments

Under the modernized OLA, the Minister responsible for Official Languages is tasked with encouraging and assisting provincial and territorial governments to support the development of English and French linguistic minority communities. The major work being done by the Government of Canada has been made possible by increased collaboration with the provincial and territorial governments, which play a key role in implementing initiatives and advancing key files in the area of official languages. In 2023–2024, the Ministers of Official Languages of the day continued to play a leading role vis-à-vis their provincial and territorial counterparts, particularly in education.

Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction

To further its educational objectives, the Government of Canada has been working with the provincial and territorial governments for over 50 years, providing financial support for minority-language education and second-language learning, with each level of government respecting the other’s areas of jurisdiction.

The Protocol for Agreements for Minority-Language Education and Second-Language Instruction (the Protocol) is a multilateral collaborative mechanism whereby the Government of Canada contributes to the costs incurred by the provinces and territories for minority-language education and second-official-language instruction.

The Protocol provides for $235.5 million per year in ongoing core funding starting in 2024–2025, and nearly $500 million over four years in additional funding under Action Plan 2023–2028, for a total of $1.4 billion over four years to strengthen the minority-language education continuum and support second-language learning.

4.2 Developing knowledge of the first official language

More than ever, the Government of Canada is supporting the provincial and territorial governments’ minority-language education offerings and working with the community sector to support strategic projects and initiatives for OLMCs spanning the entire education continuum.

Supporting minority-language education

The purpose of intergovernmental cooperation on minority-language education is to help provincial and territorial governments provide members of OLMCs with the opportunity to be educated in their official language and to experience cultural enrichment.

In 2023–2024, an intergovernmental agreement on minority-language education and second-official-language instruction was in effect with the provincial and territorial governments. In addition to the initiatives in the provincial and territorial action plans, complementary projects to address one-time and emerging needs were also funded.

Supporting post-secondary education in the minority language

Budget 2021 announced $121 million over three years for post-secondary education in the minority language. In 2023–2024, this funding continued to support post-secondary education initiatives intended to stabilize or strengthen the capacity of institutions to deliver quality post-secondary education programs in OLMCs, maintain and expand the number of programs available, and foster collaboration among institutions.

For example, with funding of $3,007,697, the Government of the Northwest Territories implemented its Consolidating Operations and Enhancing Institutional Capacity of the Collège nordique francophone project. This two-year project (2023–2024 to 2024–2025) will enable Collège nordique francophone to consolidate its operations and improve its institutional capacity by expanding services and programs offered in French and implementing a community-based program-delivery model and a community strategy for training and skills development in the Northwest Territories.

Recruiting teachers for minority-language schools

In response to shortages, greater efforts are being made to recruit teachers for minority-language schools. In 2023–2024, 22 projects to recruit and retain teachers in minority-language schools were carried out; of these, 19 were provincial/territorial government projects, and 3 were projects by national organizations.

For example, between 2022 and 2024, the University of Ottawa implemented an awareness, recruitment and teacher training strategy to recruit more Canadian university students and reduce the barriers facing candidates for the teacher education program. Thanks to the initiative, the province of Ontario reported an increase in enrolment in the University of Ottawa’s teacher education program.

Supporting community educational infrastructure

There is a great need for educational and community infrastructure in OLMCs. In response, in 2023–2024 the Supporting Community Educational Infrastructure initiative helped to implement 43 new community infrastructure projects in 32 communities.

As a result of the initiative, there was an increase in the number of community infrastructure projects for OLMCs and the number of communities benefiting from such projects. Over time, thanks to these investments, community members will see greater access to a variety of activities and services in their language, and an increased ability to live in their language and participate in Canadian society. The initiative will support the vitality, resilience and long-term development of OLMCs.

Supporting early learning and child care development

ESDC’s Support Early Learning and Child Care Development initiative aims to continue the development of initial, ongoing and specialized training programs in the early childhood sector.

As part of this initiative, the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne funded the implementation of 43 training initiatives in collaboration with four partner organizations, for a total of nearly $10.5 million over three years. The projects that were selected had the following objectives: developing training sessions tailored to the needs of Francophone communities; and ensuring, through initial and ongoing training, the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators in Francophone communities. One of the Association’s achievements in 2023–2024 was the conclusion of its national “Choisir la petite enfance” [Choosing early childhood] campaign, which sought to promote the training of early childhood educators in Francophone minority communities.

Supporting the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French

To implement the Government of Canada’s commitments under Part VII of the modernized OLA, federal institutions have a duty to take positive measures, which may include supporting the creation and dissemination of information in French that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge in any discipline.

2023–2024 served to lay the foundations for the Supporting the Creation and Dissemination of Scientific Information in French initiative. This included the creation of a new sub-component dedicated to the popularization of scientific knowledge in French; increased support for the Service d’aide à la recherche en français of the Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas); direct support for research in French and for Francophone researchers in all disciplines, in partnership with the research granting councils; and the establishment of an external advisory panel.

In 2023, PCH provided $118,000 to support the creation of Acfas’s Service d’aide à la recherche en français. This initiative, the only of its kind in Canada, helps researchers in minority settings prepare applications for research grants and graduate fellowships.

In addition, 2023–2024 witnessed efforts to create an external advisory panel of experts on French-language research, which was announced on October 22, 2024. The panel is made up of experts and specialists representing different research fields and various regions of Canada. Its terms of reference involve examining the current dynamics of creating and disseminating French-language scientific knowledge in Canada and proposing courses of action that take into account the dynamics of Francophone minority communities and Quebec. The panel will provide advice and recommendations to the Minister responsible for Official Languages, informing the development of a federal strategy for the long-term viability of the French-language scientific research ecosystem in Canada.

4.3 Supporting learning and appreciation of the second official language

The Government of Canada continues supporting the provincial and territorial governments’ minority-language education offerings and working with the community sector to support projects and initiatives aimed at fostering appreciation of the two official languages and bringing the two linguistic communities closer together.

Supporting French second-language learning

The purpose of intergovernmental cooperation in the area of second-language learning is to help provincial and territorial governments provide the residents of each province/territory with the opportunity to learn English or French as a second language and with opportunities for cultural enrichment through knowledge of the cultures of the other official-language community.

In 2023–2024, an intergovernmental agreement on minority-language education and second-official-language instruction was in effect with each provincial/territorial government. In addition to the initiatives in the provincial and territorial action plans, complementary projects to address one-time and emerging needs were also funded.

Recruiting teachers for immersion and French second-language programs

Due to persistent challenges, increased efforts are being made to recruit teachers for French immersion and French second-language programs. In 2023–2024, 14 projects to recruit and retain teachers for French immersion and French second-language programs were carried out; of these, 13 were provincial/territorial government projects, and 1 was a project by a national organization.

Thanks to funding of $157,000 for 2023–2024, the Canadian Association of Immersion Professionals implemented its Retention – Support Program for Young Teachers project. The Association offers a teacher sponsorship and coaching program specifically geared to new French immersion teachers— especially young teachers who have left their community to go teach in rural areas—in order to help them integrate. In 2023–2024, the initiative saw 21 coaches from 8 provinces offer advice to 55 teachers.

Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages

The Young Canada Works program is part of the Government of Canada’s modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to help young people, particularly those facing employability challenges, develop their skills along a continuum to prepare them for the labour market. Collectively, the participating programs address the diverse geographic and demographic needs of young people, while helping them enter emerging Canada-wide growth sectors. This one-of-a-kind horizontal strategy is being implemented by 12 federal departments and agencies, including PCH.

Since 1996, Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages—one of the program components implemented by PCH—has been helping young Canadians aged 15 to 30 to gain work experience and develop their professional skills, while strengthening their official language abilities. In 2023–2024, 781 young people took part in the program, gaining work experience in their first or second official language in an OLMC—thereby contributing to the sustainable development of OLMCs—as well as an awareness of the benefits of Canada’s linguistic duality.

Mauril

In 2023–2024, there were continued efforts to promote Mauril, a mobile app for learning and maintaining English and French second-language skills. The free-of-charge app, which features Canadian content, has been downloaded more than 400,000 times in every province and territory in Canada. Based on the user profiles, 64% of users are learning French, while 36% are learning English. PCH is supporting CBC/Radio-Canada in its efforts to extend the reach of Mauril, developing new features for the platform while promoting its use at both the community and post-secondary levels.

Section 5: Strengthening our communities

The cultural, linguistic and social diversity of our communities is a tremendous asset and a wellspring of collective energy. The multiplicity of perspectives, experiences and traditions inspire us to grow together and are a source of increased creativity and resilience with which to tackle challenges. In the modernized OLA, the Government of Canada has recognized the uniqueness and diversity of English and French linguistic minority communities, as well as their respective historical and cultural contributions to Canadian society.

With the funding under Action Plan 2018–2023, we made great strides in strengthening our communities and improving access to services. These investments—which have been fully renewed in Action Plan 2023–2028 and supplemented with new funds—will enable us to continue our work in key sectors benefiting communities, such as arts and culture, employment, health and justice.

As part of Action Plan 2023–2028, over 300 community organizations across the country have seen a 12.5% increase in core funding. Starting in 2023–2024, this additional funding enabled national organizations, including the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne, to meet operating costs that have risen with inflation.

Once again this year, many federal institutions contributed directly to community vitality and development through their programs and initiatives using a “by and for” delivery model. Under this approach, communities are involved at every stage of decision-making and project delivery, ensuring that their priorities and interests are fully considered.

5.1 Supporting the provincial and territorial governments

Under the modernized OLA, the Minister responsible for Official Languages is tasked with encouraging and assisting provincial and territorial governments to support the development of Quebec’s English-speaking communities and French linguistic minority communities. The important work being done by the Government of Canada depends on enhanced collaboration with these governments, who play an essential role in implementing initiatives and managing files in the area of official languages. In 2023–2024, the Ministers of Official Languages of the day continued to exercise decisive influence in their dealings with their provincial and territorial counterparts.

Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie

Access to services and education in the minority official language is essential to the vitality and development of OLMCs. In Action Plan 2023–2028, the Government announced that it wanted to go even further in expanding access to services in these communities.

Providing access to services and sectors essential to enhancing the vitality of OLMCs, such as education, requires close collaboration with the provinces and territories. The Government has mechanisms in place, including the Ministers’ Council on the Canadian Francophonie (the Council), to foster dialogue and work towards common goals. The mandate of the Council is to contribute to a dialogue among provincial and territorial governments conducive to the development of initiatives that strengthen the Canadian Francophonie and improve the status of French, including the implementation of active offer and expanded government services in French. Action Plan 2023–2028 also announced additional support for the promotion of the Canadian Francophonie, in particular to support the work of the Council.

The Council’s annual meeting took place on July 6 and 7, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Co-chaired by then Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, the meeting included discussions on the recently announced Action Plan 2023–2028 and on the modernized OLA.

Supporting services in the minority language and promoting the Canadian Francophonie

The purpose of intergovernmental cooperation on minority-language services is to help provincial and territorial governments offer provincial, territorial and municipal services in the language of the OLMC to foster its development. The Government of Canada has given the provincial governments access to $142.4 million over five years, from 2023 to 2028, through bilateral agreements on minority-language services. This includes a funding increase for the agreements with the provinces of up to $98.2 million over five years under Action Plan 2023–2028. The Government of Canada will also devote up to $85.5 million over five years to the territorial governments for French-language services.

In 2023–2024, 12 provincial/territorial governments had an active intergovernmental agreement on minority-language services. The bilateral agreement with Nunavut expired March 31, 2024, and the bilateral agreement with Yukon is set to expire March 31, 2025. PCH continued working with all the provinces and territories to support the delivery of services in the minority language.

5.2 Supporting the development of arts and culture

Arts and culture play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the vitality of the official languages by providing OLMCs with spaces in which to express and transmit their identity. By fostering artistic creation and showcasing culture, these sectors reinforce the sense of belonging, ensure the visibility of these communities and contribute to the continuity of their language and heritage. In 2023–2024, federal institutions continued to take measures in these sectors, which are essential to the official languages and to communities.

Collaboration Agreement for the Development of Arts and Culture in the Francophone Minority Communities of Canada

The modernized OLA recognizes the situation of French in Canada and contains a commitment to protecting and promoting that language. The Minister responsible for Official Languages continues to coordinate initiatives in support of the development and advancement of Francophone culture in Canada, which is a key sector for the development and vitality of OLMCs.

In 2023–2024, PCH continued to coordinate the Collaboration Agreement for the Development of Arts and Culture in the Francophone Minority Communities of Canada (the Agreement). The Department also continued working with the signatory federal institutions—the National Arts Centre, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the National Film Board of Canada and Telefilm Canada—and the organizations represented by the Fédération culturelle canadienne-française to renew this mechanism so crucial to Canada’s French-language arts and culture sector.

These renewal efforts were informed by a 2022 external evaluation of the Agreement’s mechanisms, with PCH encouraging partners to focus on dialogue, collaboration and the identification of synergies to ensure new positive measures for the benefit of OLMCs. Among other things, the proposed new draft of the Agreement featured changes and stronger wording that reflected the modernization of the OLA and provided for the taking of positive measures “by and for communities.” The 2024–2028 Agreement was signed on October 31, 2024, in Ottawa at a ceremony attended by the signatories and stakeholders.

PassepART

In 2023–2024, PCH’s enhanced PassepART program supported the development of ImmersART, a micro-grant program that funds activities in immersion schools, in partnership with Francophone artistic and cultural organizations in their region. The funding supported major modifications to the existing database to create a section dedicated to managing applications for activities in French immersion schools.

Activities carried out in 2023–2024 included the development of an engagement and consultation strategy, consultation sessions with immersion education partners, the development of a list of immersion schools, the implementation of a program delivery platform for immersion schools, the development of communication and promotion plans, and the development of support tools.

Canada Music Fund

PCH’s Canada Music Fund received additional funding to develop the skills and capacities of Francophone music entrepreneurs in OLMCs in order to build audiences for artists and expand OLMC access to musical performances in their language.

Thanks to the Soutien aux entrepreneurs et organismes de la francophonie canadienne program, OLMCs now have access to a wider range of local services in their first official language. The program provides the necessary tools for Francophone businesses outside Quebec to offer professional training, mentoring and activities to support the development of artists.

5.3 Supporting employment and economic development

Across Canada, including in OLMCs, various sectors have been struggling with labour shortages. Many of the unfilled positions require a certain level of bilingualism. The Government of Canada is implementing initiatives to address the urgent need for training and skilled bilingual workers in OLMCs, and to foster the employability of OLMC members in various sectors that are a priority for the communities, thereby contributing to community economic development.

Enhancement of the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities

Additional funding has been allocated to ESDC’s Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities to help organizations improve their stability and planning capacity so they can continue enhancing the vitality of OLMCs and addressing the growing economic-development and employability needs of those communities.

In 2023–2024, the program’s recipient organizations established and maintained over 2,000 active partnerships with the public, private and not-profit sectors. The funding enabled recipients to implement projects, fill gaps in service and take concerted action to strengthen OLMCs’ human-resources and economic-development capacity. In addition, over 107,000 individuals, businesses and organizations from OLMCs benefited from the services delivered by the funding recipients.

Investing in employment assistance services for official language minority communities

Further investments were made in ESDC’s Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities to expand the Fund and invest more in employment assistance services in OLMCs. This funding will assist local organizations in Francophone minority communities and the ESCQs in providing employment assistance services, such as employment counselling; development of résumé-writing, interview and job-search skills; and job placement.

In 2023–2024, the program worked in collaboration with other departments, including PCH and IRCC, to learn about the employability needs and challenges of OLMCs. In designing and implementing the new Employment Assistance Services stream, program representatives held a series of bilateral discussions with provincial and territorial governments to gain an understanding of the current service delivery landscape in OLMCs, to ensure that their approach was aligned and complementary, and to ensure that the new projects fit well into the broader employment and training ecosystem in the provinces and territories. ESDC also conducted extensive stakeholder consultations to further its understanding of the gaps and needs in terms of employment assistance services in OLMCs to help guide the design and implementation of the stream. Projects under this stream began in winter 2025.

Social Partnership Initiative for Official Language Minority Communities

ESDC’s Social Partnership Initiative for Official Language Minority Communities received investments with which to provide community organizations with funding to boost their capacity to deliver services; better meet the needs of individuals, families and OLMCs; and work in partnership to address common social issues.

The year 2023–2024 served to lay the foundations of the Initiative. Two organizations—one serving Quebec’s English-speaking communities and one serving Francophone minority communities—were selected to administer the funding for community organizations serving OLMCs. Applications were evaluated, and the successful applicants will sign agreements and launch their projects in 2024–2025.

Fund for the English-Speaking Communities of Quebec

PCH’s Fund for the English-Speaking Communities of Quebec, which has had its funding renewed, supports delivery of a wide variety of projects in sectors key to the vitality of the ESCQs in different regions of Quebec. Among the community priorities addressed by the funded projects were cultural heritage, economic opportunities, social isolation of vulnerable groups, arts and leisure activities, and community engagement.

In 2023–2024, the association Youth for Youth Québec launched Leaders of Tomorrow: Supporting Youth Personal Development and Sense of Belonging in the English-Speaking Communities, a three-phase project that will span two fiscal years, running from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2025. The first phase will help 120 young English speakers from the ESCQs, all from regions of Quebec, integrate into their new urban environment as they pursue their education in Montréal. The second phase will involve establishing a volunteer program to coach ESCQ youth and get them involved in volunteer activities, and creating a database of ESCQ volunteers available to the community. The third phase will involve designing and organizing a series of workshops for 100 ESCQ youth on how to engage in volunteering as a member of the board of a non-profit.

In addition, the Provincial Employment Roundtable carried out a project entitled Supporting the Economic and Community Integration of Mature English Speakers in Quebec. As part of this project, the multilateral initiative collected testimonials from workers aged 45 to 60 from the ESCQs. Focusing on 10 to 12 mature English speakers, the Provincial Employment Roundtable gathered information on their career paths and employment experiences, noted the employment services and programs they had accessed, and documented the relationship between language and work in Quebec. The testimonials were used in a virtual and in-person exhibit, as well as a social networking campaign to highlight the current needs of mature English speakers and to promote programs that they might find useful. These findings also led to a needs assessment report on gaps in existing services and programs for mature English-speaking workers.

Official Languages Health Program

Health Canada’s Official Languages Health Program received increased support to boost the core funding of organizations working with OLMCs. This enabled them to carry out activities essential to expanding community access to health services in the official language of their choice.

Thanks to the indexation of funding, the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta was able to do a study on the needs of Alberta’s Francophone communities in terms of French-language primary health care, home care and palliative care. The study raised the level of knowledge among health partners and yielded evidence specific to Alberta’s Francophone population in all its diversity. In addition, Société Santé en français provided ongoing French-language mental health support for Francophone residents of Alberta in partnership with Tel-Aide Outaouais to address the gaps identified in this sector. A French-language helpline is directly available to patients.

5.4 Improving access to justice in both official languages

For there to be genuine access to justice, legal services must be available in the official language of choice. The Government of Canada continues to improve and expand access to legal services for Canadians, including members of OLMCs, by funding initiatives and organizations that give those communities the necessary tools and assistance to navigate the justice system.

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

The enhancement of Department of Justice Canada’s Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund enables associations working with OLMCs in the area of access to justice to provide resources facilitating access to justice in both official languages.

In 2023–2024, the funding enabled the delivery of 40 projects supporting OLMCs and the justice system, a number of which were carried out with long-standing partners. For example, the initiative increased funding for 12 recipients, provided terminology training for judges, funded the development of tools and resources in jurilinguistic centres, supported the translation of decisions of national interest from provincial and territorial courts of appeal and superior courts, and funded Justice Hub centres for litigants from OLMCs.

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Initiative

Department of Justice Canada’s Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund has also received funding for new positive measures to strengthen the bilingual capacity of the justice system and boost the supply of information and legal-support services for litigants from OLMCs, with an emphasis on more vulnerable groups within that population. Two priority focuses have been identified for the new positive measures: support for OLMCs and support for the justice system. The new positive measures also target evidence-gathering, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

Organizations across the country have obtained funding for new projects. In Quebec, International Rwanda Youth for Development hosted plain-language information workshops on labour law, family law, immigration law, municipal law and criminal law for a racialized English-speaking community, and Montreal City Mission obtained funding to provide socio-legal support services for English-speaking migrants in Quebec. In the West, the Fund supported a new training course for British Columbia Crown prosecutors and other stakeholders in the province’s criminal justice system attended by 24 people. On the Prairies and in the North, Franco-Justice, a non-profit organization operating in Winnipeg, delivered 27 French-language legal information workshops—attended by some 120 members of the local Francophone community—as part of its Legal Integration for Manitoba’s Diverse Francophonie project.

Conclusion

The year 2023–2024 was a pivotal year for official languages. The modernization of the OLA marked a critical transition to a linguistic framework better tailored to Canada’s contemporary realities. The strengthened governance and accountability provisions for federal institutions will support more rigorous implementation of the OLA and the obligations thereunder, ultimately enhancing the vitality of OLMCs and the official languages.

The year 2023–2024 also marked the first year of implementation of Action Plan 2023–2028, the five-year government-wide strategy, a year that involved laying the foundations for the new measures in that strategy. The success of Action Plan 2023–2028 will hinge on a “by and for communities” approach and key collaborations with federal institutions and provincial and territorial governments, contributing to the advancement of the two official languages and the vitality of communities. Future annual reports will provide more information on the results achieved.

These concrete actions in support of the official languages and OLMCs are the manifestation of the vision and agenda laid out by the Government of Canada in English and French: Towards a Substantive Equality of Official Languages in Canada. In 2023–2024, the Government of Canada reaffirmed its commitment to OLMCs and the official languages through these important measures. Moving forward, these ambitious measures will support the vitality and development of OLMCs and reinforce the place of the official languages in Canadian society.

Appendix 1 – 2023–2024 Summary of Government Investments in Official Languages

Appendix 2 – 2023–2024 Expenditures of the Official Languages Support Programs by Component

Appendix 3 – 2023–2024 Expenditures of the Official Languages Support Programs by Province or Territory

Appendix 4 – 2023–2024 Education Expenditures

Appendix 5 – School Enrolment in 2022–2023^{Footnote 47}

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, 2025
Catalogue No.: CH10-2E-PDF
ISSN: 2562-704X