LANG – Speaking Notes for Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C. M.P. Minister Of Immigration, Refugees And Citizenship – December 6, 2022

Appearance At The Official Languages Committee On Bill C-13: Amendments To The Official Languages Act

Ottawa, Ontario
December 6, 2022

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656 words (5 minutes)

Thank you, [Mr./Madam] Chair.

I would like to acknowledge that we are meeting today on the unceded and traditional territories of the Algonquin Anishnaabe People.

I am joined today by two colleagues from my department: Deputy Minister Christiane Fox and Catherine Scott, Assistant Deputy Minister for Settlement and Integration.

Immigration is a key part of the government’s plan for Canada’s immediate economic needs, our longer-term demographic needs, to sustain our Official Languages, and continue to support humanitarian needs as part of the global community.

We are working to promote Canada as an ideal destination, attract more people and more French-speaking newcomers to Canada, and ensure a successful settlement once they arrive.

Attracting Francophones

I would like to thank the Committee for its work and recommendations on improving our programs for bringing students from Africa. I would note the department is working on the recommendations.

IRCC recently announced the launch of the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration, which will be headquartered in Dieppe (Nouveau-Brunswick).

The Centre will help make immigration programs more accessible to increase the number of French-speaking candidates selected, conduct case studies to better meet the needs of Francophone employers and communities, and support international promotion efforts to attract French-speaking candidates in our labour market.

This centre will help support our Francophone Immigration Strategy first launched in 2019, and if Bill C-13 becomes law, support the Francophone Immigration Policy.

Levels

I recently announced our Immigration Levels Plan to welcome 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, growing to 500,000 in 2025. This will help Canada build its workforce and a strong, resilient economy for the future.

Statistics Canada reported in August that Francophone minority communities across the country are declining in demographic weight. This reinforces why the immigration-related measures in this legislation are so important.

The government’s current Francophone Immigration Strategy aims to reach a target of 4.4% of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2023. I am happy to report to the Committee the department is well on its way to achieving this target.

In 2022, there was a significant increase in admissions of French-speaking permanent residents outside of Quebec compared to previous years, with more than 11,700 admissions to date.

To support the Strategy, we have taken measures to support more permanent residency applications, support for study permits, temporary residency, and other immigration programs.

Changes to Programs

To bring in more French-speaking and bilingual workers, the government has provided additional points for French-speaking and bilingual candidates in Express Entry programs. This has increased the number of candidates being admitted to Canada and is helping to fill jobs.

To help French-speaking applicants already in Canada, we have an uncapped level for bilingual and French-speaking students in the new permanent residence pathways created in 2021.

The success of our programs aligns with the adoption of a Francophone immigration policy under Bill C-13 and as supported by the Federation des communautes francophones et acadienne.

Settlement

We have improved our programs to attract newcomers, and to support their successful settlement in Canada.

In 2019-2020, we implemented the Francophone integration program to improve the links between Francophone newcomers and Francophone minority communities.

This program helps promote job opportunities and provide a better support networks for new French-speaking immigrants. The government has increased funding to settlement organizations, specifically those in francophone minority communities to provide better and more comprehensive services.

In response to issues raised by small communities, we created the Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative. Working in 14 Francophone communities in particular, the Initiative aims to be more inclusive, o foster greater integration and interactions between Francophone newcomers and other members of the community.

The passage of Bill C-13 would align with the government’s intention to increase the admissions target for French-speaking immigrants beyond the current 4.4% target.

Thank you for the invitation to appear. I am ready to answer your questions.