Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative
Started in 2020, the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative helps French-speaking newcomers settle and stay in 24 Francophone and Acadian communities outside Quebec.
Discover each of the 24 communities on our page Choose a welcoming community that offers services in French.
On this page
- About the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative
- History of the initiative
- More resources on Francophone life outside Quebec
About the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative
The Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative is a key part of the Policy on Francophone Immigration. It helps French-speaking newcomers settle in 24 Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada, build connections and feel at home in their new community.
This initiative takes a “by and for Francophones” approach, meaning Francophone community members—through the Réseaux en immigration francophone (Francophone immigration networks)—chose and recommended to the department which communities would take part.
This initiative is co-led by
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Francophone and Acadian communities, including the
- 13 Réseaux en immigration francophone
- Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (available in French only)
- Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick (available in French only)
The initiative is based on collaborative approaches and community partnerships. It aims to
- help newcomers settle and stay in 24 Francophone communities
- build connections between newcomers and local residents
- raise awareness and create a welcoming environment where newcomers feel they belong
This initiative is funded by the 2023–2028 Action Plan for Official Languages: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration, and the Action Plan for Official Languages: 2018–2023: Investing in Our Future.
Five characteristics a welcoming Francophone community strives for
- Inclusive leadership
Local authorities and Francophone community leaders work together to make their communities welcoming and inclusive. They help newcomers connect with residents and encourage conversations that support diversity and inclusion.
- Equitable access to settlement services
Newcomers can access services and resources in French, linked to the Francophone community, to help them settle successfully.
- Economic development, entrepreneurship and employment
The host community recognizes, values and leverages the expertise brought by French-speaking newcomers to strengthen the region’s economic vitality.
- Welcoming public spaces
Francophone public spaces and recreational infrastructures are accessible. They bring people together, improve quality of life and help newcomers feel part of their community.
- Civic engagement and participation
Newcomers take part in the various community, civic and political activities of the Francophone host community.
History of the initiative
Joint planning phase
Planning for the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative began in June 2018 and spanned two years. During this time, IRCC collaborated with the Réseaux en immigration francophone (RIFs) and the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada to establish the initiative’s parameters and select participating communities.
Each community then formed a community advisory board with representatives who developed and submitted a community plan to IRCC. The plan detailed the activities the board wished to implement to support the initiative’s objectives and foster the 5 characteristics of a welcoming community.
Pilot phase
The pilot phase of the initiative began in 2020 and ended in March 2024.
In anticipation of the end of this phase, IRCC held a series of targeted conversations with stakeholders across the country in 2023 to gather insight on the future of the project. An external research firm follows progress and documents achievements in a report (2024) (PDF, 2 MB).
Renewal and expansion phase
Given the success of the pilot and the contribution of the initial 14 communities to the settlement and integration of French-speaking newcomers, in January 2024, the department announced the renewal and expansion of the initiative as a flagship measure of IRCC’s Policy on Francophone Immigration.
In August 2024, the department announced the selection of 10 additional communities.
The renewal of the initiative and the addition of new communities will allow many French-speaking newcomers to continue receiving the support they need in various areas to build their lives in Canada.