COW – Francophone Immigration – June 9, 2025

Key Facts and Figures

• Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2025-2027 set a target for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec of 8.5% in 2025, followed by notional targets of 9.5% in 2026, and 10% in 2027.
• Last year (2024), Canada exceeded the target of 6% French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec with approximately 30,550 admissions (7.21%).
• The Government is committed to establish a 12% target for Francophone immigration outside of Quebec by 2029.

Key Messages

• The Policy on Francophone Immigration guides Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) actions, by promoting the economic development of Francophone minority communities in Canada as per the Official Languages Act, as our Government works towards restoring the vitality and demographic weight of Francophone minority communities in Canada outside Quebec.
• We have established ambitious targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
• Numerous measures contribute to achieving these targets:
  • Express Entry's category-based selection introduced in 2023 includes strong French-language proficiency as one of the priorities, and is the current key lever to admit French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec.
  • The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot was launched on January 30, 2025, and will provide French-speaking and bilingual candidates an additional pathway to permanent residency.
  • The Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot that was launched on August 26, 2024, will help attract and retain Francophone international students in communities outside Quebec; and,
  • The addition of ten new Welcoming Francophone Communities for a total of 24 across Canada will support the integration process of French-speaking newcomers.

If pressed on additional measures to increase Francophone immigration:

• The Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 includes a historic investment of $137.2M in new funds, in addition to $80.2M in ongoing funds from previous Action Plans, for a total of $217.4M over five years, to support specific measures in Francophone immigration.

If pressed on the commitment to establish a 12% target for Francophone immigration outside of Quebec by 2029.

• The development of targets is made in accordance with the parameters of the Policy on Francophone immigration. These targets are ambitious, yet realistic and feasible, and informed by evidence and partner perspectives. 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.

If pressed that increasing Francophone immigration compromises economic objectives by bringing in individuals with lower skill levels.

• Francophone immigrants are a valuable part of Canada’s economic future. Francophone immigrants bring a wide range of skills that are vital to Canada’s long-term prosperity. A diverse, linguistically competent workforce is a competitive advantage in a global economy. Strengthening Francophone immigration aligns with Canada’s goals of sustainable growth, regional development and social inclusion within Francophone minority communities.