French-speaking immigration outside of Quebec more than doubled in the last three years – and the that trend is continuing with 19.9 per cent growth in 2023 alone and the country poised to set a new record by the end of this year, the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals.
“Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in strengthening our national identity,” says Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
“The numerous measures we are implementing will attract skilled francophone workers who will support the economic and cultural development of these communities.
“Our efforts to ensure the successful reception and integration of French-speaking newcomers support our unwavering commitment to restoring and increasing the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities.”
In 2021, only 6,950 French-speaking immigrants became permanent residents in Canada outside of the francophone province of Quebec.
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The following year, that skyrocketed to 16,380 new permanent residents, an increase of 135.7 per cent.
Then, last year, francophone immigration outside Quebec swelled to 19,635 new permanent residents.
And, this year, IRCC data shows the country is poised to break that record-breaking level of francophone immigration with 9,220 French-speaking new permanent residents in the first five months of this year.
The trend set from January through to May would put Canada on track to welcome 22,128 French-speaking new permanent residents by the end of this year.
The lion’s share of francophone immigration outside of Quebec went to Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, which has a well-established network to support Franco-Ontarians.
Last year, 11,905 new French-speaking permanent residents settled in Ontario.
The other provinces and territories saw the following number of French-speaking new permanent residents last year.
- Newfoundland and Labrador – 60
- Prince Edward Island – 55
- Nova Scotia – 390
- New Brunswick – 2,935
- Manitoba – 1,020
- Saskatchewan – 365
- Alberta – 1,840
- British Columbia – 975
- Yukon – 50
- Northwest Territories – 20
- Nunavut – 15
In 2015, Canada welcomed only 2,995 French-speaking permanent residents but Ottawa has made the francophone immigration a priority to preserve francophone minority communities across the country.
Earlier this year, the country’s immigration minister unveiled a series of initiatives in Caraquet, New Brunswick – considered to be the unofficial capital of the French-speaking, Acadian people – to further support francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Those measures included a new francophone immigration policy, the renewal and expansion of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, a new program to support francophone immigration, and the implementation of the Action Plan for Official Languages.
French-Speaking Immigration To Canada Is Deemed Essential
The Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, which originally included 14 Canadian communities that received funding to foster the integration of French-speaking newcomers, was opened up for an additional 10 communities.
Under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028, Ottawa has pledged an investment of more than $137 million to support the French language in Canada.
The new Francophone Immigration Support Program funds innovative projects to eliminate barriers to francophone immigration.
“The measures … are fundamental for the future and sustainability of francophone communities in minority situations across the country,” said Randy Boissonnault, Canada’s minister of employment, workforce development and official languages, earlier this year.
“With the modernized Official Languages Act and the Action Plan 2023–2028, which has been in effect since this autumn, our government is implementing the necessary mechanisms and investments to achieve targets that are both ambitious and essential.”
Under that modernized Official Languages Act, the IRCC was obligated to adopt a policy on francophone immigration that includes objectives, targets, and indicators.
Under a shared jurisdiction between Ottawa and the provinces, Canada operates a two-tiered immigration system, offering programs for skilled workers, at both federal and provincial levels.
Through a network of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), almost all of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories can nominate skilled worker candidates for admission to Canada with the specific skills required by their local economies.
Successful candidates who receive a provincial or territorial nomination can then apply for Canadian permanent residence through federal immigration authorities.
