Francophone Immigration Support Program

Terms and Conditions

Program Name: Francophone Immigration Support Program
Category: Grants and Contributions
Department: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Last Updated: December 18, 2023

1.0 Authority

1.1 The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act establishes the Department of Citizenship and Immigration (also known under the name Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) over which the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration presides. Section 4 of that Act sets out the powers, duties and functions of the Minister.

4. The powers, duties and functions of the Minister extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction relating to citizenship and immigration and that are not by law assigned to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada.

1.2 The Francophone Immigration Support Program (FISP) of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) directly contributes to the following objective in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (although other objectives are also supported):

3(1) (b.1) to support and assist the development of minority official languages communities in Canada.

Approval Authority

1.3 The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Act provides the authority for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to enter into agreements and arrangements with the provinces and international organizations as follows:

Agreements

5. (1) The Minister may, with the approval of the Governor in Council, enter into agreements with any province or group of provinces, or with any foreign government or international organization, for the purpose of facilitating the formulation, coordination and implementation—including the collection, use and disclosure of information—of policies and programs for which the Minister is responsible.

Arrangements

(2) The Minister may enter into arrangements with any province or group of provinces, or with any foreign government or international organization, for the purpose of facilitating the formulation, coordination and implementation—including the collection, use and disclosure of information—of policies and programs for which the Minister is responsible.

These terms and conditions apply to both agreements and arrangements entered into by IRCC under the FISP.

2.0 Purpose and Objective

2.1 The purpose of the FISP is to support demographic growth and economic development in Francophone minority communities (FMCs).

2.2 This program aims to better integrate the Francophone lens into the immigration continuum by strengthening the engagement of Francophone communities in activities promoting FMCs abroad, activities promoting immigration programs and activities aimed at identifying, supporting and recruiting French-speaking candidates to immigrate to Canada. This program applies to candidates seeking permanent residency and temporary residency through the various immigration programs. It also aims to meet the French-speaking and bilingual labour needs in the various sectors of the Canadian economy.

2.3 The objectives of the FISP are in line with two of IRCC’s core responsibilities, namely Core Responsibility 1: Visitors, International Students and Temporary Workers (which includes temporary residents) and Core Responsibility 2: Immigrant and Refugee Selection and Integration (which includes permanent residents).

Expected Outcomes

2.4 The expected long-term outcome of the FISP is to foster demographic growth and economic development in FMCs, both through the selection of French-speaking permanent residents and the admission of French-speaking temporary residents.

2.5 The expected intermediate outcome is an increase in the number of admissions of French-speaking candidates resulting, in whole or in part, from eligible activities and projects under IRCC’s FISP, for both the permanent residence and the temporary residence programs.

2.6 The immediate outcomes are the direct, short-term results of the FISP for eligible activities funded by IRCC. These immediate outcomes are as follows:

• Francophone partners are more involved in the promotion of FMCs, and in the identification, support and recruitment of French-speaking candidates.
• French-speaking candidates are better informed about immigration opportunities in FMCs.
• French-speaking temporary residents are better equipped to apply to permanent immigration.
• FISP activities are supported by evidence-based data.

Performance Measurement Strategy

2.7 In implementing the FISP, IRCC is applying a comprehensive performance measurement strategy that includes a logic model involving short, medium and long-term outcomes, activities and outputs, as well as indicators and data collection approaches.

2.8 Projects and activities funded under the FISP are expected to contribute to the immediate level of outcomes, which may influence or impact intermediate and long-term outcomes. Note: This is the level at which projects will be assessed for achieving outcomes and reporting. Immediate outcomes are the FISP’s direct, short-term results for eligible activities funded by IRCC.

2.9 Information for the performance measurement strategy will be collected through IRCC admissions data, administrative documents, activity reports submitted by recipients and surveys of Francophone partners and French-speaking candidates.

2.10 The expected long-term outcome of the logic model is to foster demographic growth and economic development in FMCs. To measure the achievement of this outcome, the Department will collect data through the Canadian Census of Population (Statistics Canada) in order to report on the percentage of the population with French as their first official language spoken in Canada outside Quebec. However, it should be noted that there are many factors outside IRCC’s FISP that affect the expected long-term outcome.

2.11 The Department is also committed to supporting the approaches set out in the Policy on Results in order to assess the performance and outcomes of the FISP.

3.0 Eligible Services, Initiatives and Projects

3.1 The FISP consists of three streams, whose activities are all funded by IRCC: (Stream 1) collaborative selection projects, (Stream 2) the promotion of Francophone minority communities abroad, and (Stream 3) case studies, innovations and applied research. Grants and contributions apply to all three streams.

Stream 1: Collaborative Selection Projects

3.2 The purpose of this stream is to include a Francophone lens in programs used to select or admit French-speaking candidates. It consists in offering designated entities** the opportunity to access the expertise of Francophone partners in order to apply a Francophone lens to address systemic barriers and adapt the processes of the various immigration programs, making them more accessible to French-speaking applicants. This will help to increase the number of French-speaking candidates selected.

3.3 Eligible activities must be collaborations between a designated entity** and a Francophone partner***.

• (**) Under the FISP, a “designated entity” is an entity that plays a leading role in identifying, supporting, recruiting or nominating candidates to be selected as permanent residents or admitted as temporary residents. Designated entities include provincial and territorial governments, economic development organizations, municipalities and post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs). The list of designated entities evolves depending on IRCC’s various immigration programs.
• (***) A Francophone partner is an organization that supports the interests of FMCs.

Activities that are eligible under this stream are:

• Developing partnerships between Francophone partners and designated entities that play a role in the Francophone immigration continuum.
• Conducting strategic review of how designated entity immigration programs are marketed.
• Developing and implementing innovative approaches to identify and recruit French-speaking candidates.
• Developing and implementing support processes for French-speaking candidates, especially in the foreign qualification recognition process.
• Activities to build the capacity of DLIs and employers to support temporary residents accessing permanent residency.
• Any other activities intended to provide support to designated entities to achieve the outcomes relating to the selection of French-speaking candidates.

Stream 2: Promotion of Francophone Minority Communities Abroad

3.4 The FISP makes it possible to carry out activities that promote Francophone minority communities abroad, in countries and regions that have pools of potential French-speaking candidates. This stream’s activities will help French-speaking candidates to be better informed about immigration opportunities in FMCs, leading to increased admissions.

Activities that are eligible under this stream are:

• Developing promotional and communication strategies aimed at French-speaking candidates (for instance, adapted messages, communications, marketing and social media content approaches).
• Implementing activities promoting FMCs virtually or in person among potential Francophone immigration pools, in complementarity with provincial, territorial and federal immigration strategies.

Stream 3: Case Studies, Innovation and Applied Research

3.5 The purpose of this stream is to mobilize knowledge of, innovative approaches to and applied research on Francophone immigration. This means supporting the production of case studies, experimentation and the identification of solutions related to the application of a Francophone lens in immigration programs, which may include analyses based on target regions and occupations. The case studies and research will draw on the intersection of identity factors, context and evidence, as well as the application of the anti-racism lens.

Activities that are eligible under this stream are:

• Carrying out case studies and applied research in order to:
  • Identify systemic barriers to identifying, supporting and recruiting French-speaking candidates.
  • Identify employers’ challenges with the hiring of French-speaking candidates through various immigration programs.
  • testing solutions and highlighting promising and innovative practices supporting the selection of French-speaking candidates.
• Organizing discussion forums and activities for disseminating research on Francophone immigration.
• Where in the course of carrying out the project, the Recipient produces any work subject to Intellectual Property Rights, these rights shall vest in the Recipient. Grant and contribution agreements include clauses for establishing rights to the use of intellectual property. Exceptions including other obligations related to intellectual property will be indicated in the agreement or arrangement.

4.0 Eligible Recipients

4.1 To achieve FISP objectives, IRCC enters into grant and contribution arrangements and agreements with the following eligible recipients to carry out eligible activities:

• Provincial and territorial governments
• Municipal governments
• International organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations, including non-governmental organizations, not-for-profit corporations, community groups, umbrella organizations, regulatory bodies, chambers of commerce, industry associations, professional associations and apprenticeship authorities
• Post-secondary designated learning institutions (DLIs)

Note: For grant and contribution agreements with international organizations and provincial/territorial governments, the approval of an order is required by the Governor-in-Council.

5.0 Eligible Expenditures

5.1 Grant and contribution arrangements and agreements may be made towards activities related to eligible services and encompass the following expenditures that are determined to be reasonable and essential.

Eligible Expenditures

• Gross salaries, wages and related benefits
• Training and professional development
• Travel (economy class only), accommodations and related costs determined to be essential, necessary and reasonable; alternatives to travel must be considered first
• Promotional and engagement tools, including social networks, brochures, banners and other informational materials
• Costs related to foreign qualification recognition process. (e.g. professional designations, degree equivalencies, professional experience equivalencies)
• Research-related costs
• Costs related to organizing and participating in conferences and other events
• Fees for professional services and consultants
• Translation costs and interpretation costs
• Administrative costs
• Indirect costs (i.e. other costs related to project delivery)
• Costs related to project delivery compliance verification
• GST/HST

Restrictions

• Unless specified in the grant or contribution arrangement or agreement, no user fees may be charged to candidates for IRCC-funded services.
• Profit is neither a “cost” nor an “expense” and therefore may not be included as an eligible cost.

5.2 Where the recipient further distributes contribution funding to a third-party organization to carry out project activities, payments by the recipient to the third party to reimburse the third party for the types of expenditures listed above, incurred by the third party, are also eligible expenditures. The redistribution of funding does not apply to grant arrangements and agreements. (For more information, see the Redistribution of Contributions section.)

6.0 Determination of Grant and / or Contribution Amount

6.1 The determination of the grant or contribution amount is based on the financial need of the organization, in accordance with the assessment criteria. Funding will be provided only at the minimum level required for the activity or project. IRCC retains the right to provide only partial funding for an activity or a project. This amount will be based on the following:

• Level of funds available
• Level of funding needed to achieve expected outcomes
• Stacking limit
• Number of applications received

6.2 The choice of financial instrument (grant or contribution) is made, among other things, on the basis of the following criteria:

• The level of risk of the project is considered acceptable based on the assessment of the applicant’s track record of similar outcomes in Canada and/or other countries.
• Level of risk of the project in terms of complexity and scope of activities.
• Applicant's capacity (financial and organizational) to carry out activities and produce desired outcomes.
• Applicant's relationship with IRCC and track record of managing Government of Canada funds.
• Willingness of the Department to monitor a recipient's expenditures and progress to ensure that results are being achieved.
• IRCC's reporting and audit needs to protect the use of public funds in a risk-sensitive manner.

7.0 Maximum Amount Payable

7.1 The maximum amount payable to each eligible recipient under all their FISP grant and contribution arrangements and agreements shall not exceed $1 million per fiscal year. Specifically:

• Maximum amount per recipient (grants and contributions combined): $1M
• Maximum amount per recipient (grants only): $100,000

8.0 Terms of Payment

8.1 There are no restrictions on the number of approved projects an eligible recipient may hold at any one time.

8.2 Both single-year and multi-year projects may be funded, subject to program criteria and cycles.

Grants

8.3 A risk assessment will be conducted prior to the signing of grant arrangement or agreements.

8.4 Grants will be paid in instalments unless, on an exceptional basis, the full amount is required to meet the objectives of the project, it will be provided upon the signing of the arrangement or agreement.

8.5 Grant arrangement or agreements may be up to five years in duration.

Contributions

8.6 A risk assessment will be conducted prior to the signing of contribution arrangement or agreements. This will determine the frequency of payments as well as the holdback amounts.

8.7 Payments of contributions will normally be made as reimbursements of eligible incurred expenditures made by the contribution recipient and will be based on the presentation of acceptable claims and progress reports, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contribution agreement.

8.8 Advance payments and holdbacks will also be used in the payment of contributions.

8.9 Contribution agreements may be up to five years in duration.

8.10 At the time of claiming final payment, or at the end of each year in the case of a multi-year agreement, the recipient must provide an accounting statement and a final detailed report on the achievement of the objectives outlined in the agreement.

9.0 Required Information from Applicant and Assessment Criteria

Application Requirements

9.1 The Department requires that eligible applicants, who submit a grant or contribution application to the FISP provide the following documents:

• A duly completed application for funding with information including, but not limited to, the following: a description of planned activities; how these activities will contribute to the achievement of the outcomes; an implementation plan demonstrating the capacity to deliver the proposed project; and a reporting strategy.
• A project budget that must include information on project cost estimates for each individual fiscal year; information about funding partners, if applicable.
• The applicant’s proposed budget will include details about funding from other sources for the same activities or eligible costs associated with what is being asked of IRCC and, in the case of projects involving financial partners, letters confirming their contributions to the project.
• The applicant’s most recent annual report, if applicable.
• The applicant’s recent financial statements (audited annual statements preferred), if applicable.
• Documents (e.g. constitution, by-laws or articles of incorporation) demonstrating the applicant’s legal constitution or status, if applicable.
• Disclosure of the names of persons on the organization’s board of directors and of any former public servants associated with the proposal.
• Disclosure of any amounts owing in default to the Government of Canada.
• Disclosure of the involvement of any former public servants who are subject to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service.
• Assurance that any person lobbying on behalf of the applicant is registered pursuant to Lobbying Act.
• Disclosure of any proceedings before any court, litigation, legal action, or outstanding claims.
• Any other information deemed necessary to assess the proposal.

10.0 Reporting Requirements

Contributions

10.1 Funding recipients are required to report back to IRCC, as indicated in their contribution arrangement or agreement. Reporting may include submissions of claims for eligible costs, the submission of progress reports, and periodic and annual reports containing statistical and narrative information about results achieved against FISP objectives and outcomes.

10.2 Recipients are to comply with IRCC instructions relating to performance measurement, research, evaluation, monitoring and strategic analysis of the FISP program. Recipient reporting must be satisfactory to IRCC in terms of scope, detail, format and frequency.

Grants

10.3 The recipient may be required to submit annual or progress reports against the results achieved as set out in the grant arrangement or agreement.

10.4 No financial reports are required.

11.0 Stacking Limits

11.1 Total Canadian government funding (i.e. federal, provincial, territorial and municipal), as defined in the Treasury Board Directive on Transfer Payments, shall be a maximum of 100% of eligible expenditures. If actual funding exceeds this limit, the Department shall recover the amount over the stacking limit.

12.0 Official Languages

12.1 The FISP takes into consideration Canada’s commitment to official languages duality. In accordance with the IRPA, IRCC is also committed to supporting and assisting the development of official language minority communities in Canada.

12.2 The FISP takes into account the different characteristics and circumstances of official language minority communities with positive measures, adapted content or different delivery methods to ensure that the minority population (French-speaking candidates) can benefit from immigration programs as much as the majority.

12.3 The FISP is a positive measure supporting the vitality of FMCs.

13.0 Redistribution of Contributions

Contributions

13.1 In projects involving the further distribution of the contribution by the recipient to third-party organizations, the agreement will make clear that the recipient has independence in the choice of those organizations, with minimal guidance from IRCC, and will not be acting as the agent for the government in making the distributions. Third party organizations must be chosen in accordance with the contribution agreement requirements and the recipient must share third-party agreements with IRCC upon request.

Grants

13.2 Grants will not be used for projects where funding provided to a recipient is to be further distributed to one or more persons or entities.