CIMM – Francophone Immigration – November 25, 2024

Key Facts and Figures

• The Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 set a target of 6% (26,100 admissions) of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec in 2024, followed by notional targets of 7% (31,500 admissions) in 2025, and 8% (36,000 admissions) in 2026 among overall levels of 485,000 in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and 500,000 in 2026.
• In contrast, the Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 increased targets to 8.5% (29,325 admissions) of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec in 2025, followed by notional targets of 9.5% (31,350 admissions) in 2026, and 10% (31,500 admissions) in 2027, among decreased overall levels of 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.

Key Messages

• The Policy on Francophone Immigration guides Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) actions, by promoting the vitality and the economic development of Francophone minority communities in Canada, as our government works towards restoring and increasing their demographic weight. The adoption of this Policy meets a federal government obligation under the modernized Official Languages Act.
• In 2023, Canada exceeded the target of 4.4% French-speaking permanent immigrant admissions outside Quebec with more than 19,600 admissions, or 4.7%.
• Our target for 2024 is 6% and we are on track to meet our objective.
• We are building on this momentum with annual targets of 8.5% in 2025, 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027, included in the Multi-year Levels Plan 2025-2027. These targets are ambitious yet realistic and informed by evidence and partners’ perspectives.
• These targets represent an increase in the proportion of French-speaking permanent residents admitted outside Quebec compared with the targets set in the Levels Plan 2024-2026. They are in line with the commitment in the Policy on Francophone Immigration to gradually increase admissions of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec over the long term. With these targets, Francophone admissions will continue to increase, while overall permanent resident admissions will decline.
• Numerous measures contribute to achieving these targets:
  • In Express Entry, more than 22,870 (25%) Invitations to Apply have been sent to candidates with strong French-language proficiency this year (January to October 2024).
  • The Provincial Nominee Program, the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot that is planned to be launched in late fall 2024, and the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot that was launched in August 2024, will also contribute to achieving the admissions targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec.
  • In June 2023, the Department announced a two-year expansion of the Francophone Mobility Program, which allows Canadian employers to make a job offer to an eligible candidate with a moderate command of French for all National Occupational Classifications, with the exception of certain jobs in primary agriculture. This measure now opens the door to more French-speaking immigrants by giving them the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience and qualify for permanent residence.

If pressed on why IRCC is not increasing its targets to 12%:

• The existing targets are realistic, informed by evidence, and reflect the capacity of IRCC and its partners in attracting, integrating and retaining French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec. They are gradual and support the Government of Canada’s efforts to contribute to the restoration and increase of the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities, as per the modernized Official Languages Act.