Quebec Reports Record Francisation Numbers as Opposition Criticises Delays

On this page you will find:

• Overview of Quebec’s 2024–2025 francisation figures
• Details of the new education funding agreement
• Minister Jean-François Roberge’s statement
• Opposition response from André A. Morin
• Future plans for online learning modules
• Frequently asked questions

Quebec Government Lauds Its Francisation Record, But Opposition Thinks Otherwise

The Quebec government says it has achieved a record year for French language training, but opposition leaders argue that newcomers continue to face serious delays and mismanagement.

Between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, more than 90,000 people participated in French language training through Francisation Québec, an increase of 25% over the previous year. The government credits this achievement to a stronger network of 133 partners – including school boards, non-profits, Cégeps, and universities – and expanded classroom availability throughout the year.

Minister of Immigration, Francisation and Integration Jean-François Roberge said the increase in service capacity also helped reduce the number of people waiting for a course, from 47,000 in March 2024 to 25,000 in March 2025.

$119.4 Million Funding for Education Partners

In support of these efforts, the government has announced a $119.4 million agreement for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. This funding – up from $104.4 million the previous year – will support 63 school service centres and school boards in delivering French instruction. The agreement includes accountability measures to match funding with each institution’s declared capacity.

Minister Roberge said the deal brings much-needed stability and predictability for partners offering francisation services, particularly as Quebec continues to welcome more non-permanent residents.

Online Modules to Support Flexibility

Francisation Québec will soon launch new online learning modules for adult beginners. The goal is to offer a more flexible and autonomous approach to language learning, especially for those who face barriers to attending in-person classes.

These digital tools will complement existing services and expand access to French language education across Quebec.

Opposition Calls the Program a Failure

Despite the government’s announcement, André A. Morin, the official opposition critic for immigration, francisation and integration, strongly criticised Francisation Québec’s performance. In a statement released the same day, he said the minister had essentially admitted the program’s failure by promising better planning in the coming year.

Morin highlighted that average wait times for French classes have nearly tripled – from 32 days in 2022–2023 to 84 working days now – almost four months between a newcomer’s application and the start of a course.

He accused the CAQ government of “improvisation” and said it had deprived immigrants of timely access to a crucial integration tool. This failure, he argued, affects both newcomers and Quebec society alike.

IRCC Is Prioritising French Speakers Across Canada in 2025

While Quebec focuses on its own francisation challenges, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is actively prioritising French-speaking immigrants at the federal level. In 2025, IRCC is holding frequent Express Entry draws specifically for French speakers, with significantly lower CRS score cut-offs.

French Language Draws in 2025 have included:

• February 19: 6,500 invitations – CRS 428
• March 6: 4,500 invitations – CRS 410
• March 21: 7,500 invitations – CRS 379

These scores are far below general or Provincial Nominee Program draws, which often exceed 500 or even 700 points.

Candidates qualify by scoring at least NCLC level 7 in all four skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) on approved tests such as TEF Canada or TCF Canada. Strong French skills can also earn applicants up to 50 extra points in the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Federal immigration targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec are rising steadily:

• 2025: 29,325 (8.5 percent of total admissions)
• 2026: 31,350 (9.5 percent)
• 2027: 31,500 (10 percent)

In addition, Ottawa recently announced $9.3 million in funding for 12 new projects supporting the recruitment, retention and integration of Francophone immigrants in minority-language communities.

While Quebec has capped its immigration levels, the federal government is expanding opportunities for Francophones across the country. Those who obtain permanent residence through a federal program may still choose to live in Quebec afterward.

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot Launches in 2025

In 2025, the Government of Canada officially launched the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), a new permanent residence pathway aimed at French-speaking skilled workers who want to settle in selected minority Francophone communities outside Quebec.

The pilot is designed to strengthen these communities by attracting immigrants who can contribute to local labour needs and support the vitality of French language and culture in rural and remote regions.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Speak French
• Have qualifying work experience
• Receive a job offer from an employer in one of the participating communities
• Intend to live in that community

Each community selected under the pilot is working closely with the federal government to identify their labour needs and recommend candidates. The pilot is modelled in part on the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), but is specifically tailored for Francophone minority populations.

The FCIP reflects Canada’s broader effort to meet its national target of 8.5 percent Francophone immigration outside Quebec by 2025, rising to 10 percent by 2027.

More details about participating communities and program eligibility are expected to be released through the official IRCC channels as the pilot rolls out in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions