Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration

The Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) is leading a project to support Francophone colleges and universities outside Quebec. This initiative aims to improve collaboration between education and immigration partners by creating a community of practice. The goal is to better understand the experiences of international students and help them smoothly transition to permanent residency in Canada. The ACUFC will also update a study called “International Students: A Pillar of Economic Immigration” to increase access to evidence-based data, and to better highlight the challenges Francophone international students face. Additionally, the ACUFC also plans to produce a series of short videos containing testimonials from students who have successfully completed their immigration journey to Canada.

Université Sainte-Anne is implementing a project to support 45 international students studying at their Pointe-de-l’Église and Halifax campuses as they navigate through their immigration journey. Depending on their interests, students will be invited to join activities and events organized with local community partners. They will also have access to opportunities such as mentoring, volunteering, internships, and part-time jobs while studying. This project aims to build strong, lasting connections between students and local communities, while also helping to revitalize minority Francophone communities in Nova Scotia.

The Centre de services à l'emploi de Prescott-Russell (CESPR) is piloting a project to attract qualified Francophone candidates to meet the labour needs of rural communities in Eastern Ontario. CESPR will support local small- and medium-sized businesses in the region in their international recruitment efforts. The initiative plans to find employment for 80 qualified French-speaking candidates. The overall objective is to support the economic development of Eastern Ontario by encouraging targeted Francophone immigration.

The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour is leading a project to recruit Francophone and bilingual nursing staff to address nursing shortages in the province’s healthcare system. This project targets Moroccan professionals trained outside of Canada, leveraging the fact that their nursing education is comparable to that of New Brunswick. Anchored in ethical recruitment practices, this project aims to attract and retain nursing staff by providing support to strengthen their skills and knowledge, assisting with the recognition of their professional qualifications, and helping them gain permanent residence.

In October 2024, Akwaba Community held the Salon Afrique-Canada Immigration et Investissement in Douala, Cameroon, attracting over 3,500 participants over a 3-day period. This annual event showcased Francophone minority communities and promoted immigration and investment opportunities between Sub-Saharan Africa and Ontario, focusing on labour needs in various sectors. This initiative is the result of close collaboration with members of the Réseau en immigration francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario and the Government of Ontario.

The Université de l’Ontario français manages the Observatoire en immigration francophone, an interdisciplinary hub that collects and disseminates knowledge on Francophone immigration in a minority context. Relying on evidence-based data, the Observatoire helps decision-makers by identifying challenges and solutions to promote more inclusive Francophone immigration. It produces analytical tools and shares promising practices to guide interventions in Francophone immigration.

The Société économique de l’Ontario leads a project to place approximately 90 qualified Francophone candidates and their families in jobs aligned with Northern Ontario’s labour needs. This project is carried out in collaboration with employers who participate in the integration of these talents in priority sectors. This project contributes to the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities in rural areas and in Northern Ontario.

The Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité Canada supports the recruitment of qualified Francophone talent through the Destination Canada Forum Mobility. Representing over 280 employers, the Réseau’s members participate in in-person events and virtual events, reaching over 7,000 candidates . The goal is to meet labour needs through French-speaking candidates, promote economic growth, and strengthen the vitality of small rural communities.

Campus Saint-Jean is conducting a study on the impact of intersectional factors related to the Francophone student population from visible minorities in accessing the teaching profession. The aim is to reduce systemic barriers and improve the representation of French-speaking immigrants in the teaching field in Alberta. The project seeks to identify strategies and develop policies to support the professional integration of these individuals and facilitate their selection in permanent residence programs.

The Government of New Brunswick's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is implementing a project to recruit teachers and early childhood educators to meet the province's workforce needs. This project includes research on the recruitment and retention of immigrant professionals, the development of a targeted promotion strategy, and credential recognition. The aim is to support a total of 600 French-speaking candidates in these sectors.

The Campus Saint-Jean is launching a project to become a hub for Francophone immigration in Western Canada. By improving the reception and support for the Francophone international student population, Campus Saint-Jean will strengthen the vitality of the Francophone community in Alberta. The project aims to improve Campus Saint-Jean’s capacity to process applications from French-speaking students and to assist them in their transition to permanent residence in Canada.

The Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique manages a project which aims to address labour needs in various economic sectors across the province. Key stakeholders, including the Government of British Columbia, will form a working committee dedicated to increasing Francophone immigration. This project includes a study on Francophone pools and matching activities between employers and candidates. Ultimately, the project will assist 180 French-speaking candidates in aligning their skills with local employer needs.

The Commission nationale des parents francophones is conducting a study to facilitate the recruitment of qualified early childhood education talents in Francophone communities outside Quebec. The findings will help create an official guide for employers, enabling them to evaluate international graduates before hiring processes with IRCC programs. This project aims to attract and integrate competent professionals, while enhancing access to French-language daycare services.

The Réseau du Nord, through the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury, has developed a promotional strategy aimed at making Northern Ontario a destination of choice for Francophone immigration candidates. The deliverables of this project include, among other things, a baseline, consultations with stakeholders, the development of a visual identity and a concerted promotional strategy. The strategy will provide a clear vision of the actions to be taken during the 2025-2030 period to attract more French-speaking candidates and thus support the vitality and economic development of Francophone communities in Northern Ontario.

The Association francophone à l'éducation des services à l'enfance en Ontario is recruiting 100 internationally trained Francophone candidates to meet the labour needs in Ontario's early childhood sector. This project is structured around three main activities: an innovative recruitment process, the organization of two international recruitment missions, and the implementation of a professional support program prior to the candidates’ arrival, aimed at facilitating their professional integration. The project aims to improve access to French-language childcare services and promote the retention of workers in Francophone minority communities.Beyond Ontario, this project will have a direct impact on the growth of French-language childcare, with positive spin-offs in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon.

The Société Nationale de l'Acadie, supported by members of the Comité atlantique en immigration francophone, is planning to organize job fairs to meet the labour needs of the four Atlantic provinces through the recruitment of French-speaking candidates. The development phase involves undertaking a study of the most relevant talent pools for priority economic sectors in Atlantic Canada (health, technology, construction, education, tourism) and the development of a concerted implementation plan for job fairs.