Canada’s latest immigration plan to welcome more Francophones. This implies that the Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026 seeks to attract 31,500 French-speaking permanent residents in 2025. On the other hand, 36,000 new immigrants under this category will arrive in 2026.
Canada’s latest immigration plan to welcome more Francophones
The Canadian immigration department introduces its immigration targets every three years to admit a specific number of permanent residents. The immigration levels plan bifurcates the targets for the number of permanent residents according to three immigration classes. These include economic, family, refugee, and humanitarian.
Particularly, this year’s targets need to remain steady as far as the number of permanent residents is concerned in 2025 and 2026.
The total target of admissions is to welcome 500,000 permanent residents each year.
Although the anticipated admission targets rise to a more stable position, a closer look at the figure showcases that the immigration category will see progress in admissions over the past two years as per the plan for this year.
Which immigration category will witness progress in the number of immigration targets between 2025 and 2026?
IRCC confirmed that the total number of French-speaking PR admissions outside Quebec will rise by 4,500 in 2026 compared to the targets in 2025. The difference associated with admissions outside Quebec is vital as it reiterates that the province has separate immigration policies, rules, and programs, unlike other Canadian provinces.
Notably, it is the sole admissions category where the defined target has increased in the last two years of the Immigration Levels Plan. On the other hand, the overall admission target is 500,000 is still the same for 2025 and 2026. Moreover, the outlined targets will likely remain steady in the upcoming years.
However, one of the admissions categories that is likely to decrease concerning its immigration targets is the category of “Economic Pilots.” The category includes the following three immigration pathways:
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Economic Mobility Pathways Project
This category will see a decline in immigration targets from 14,750 in 2025 to 13,750 in 2026.
The reason behind IRCC’s attempt to welcome a higher number of French-speaking PRs outside Quebec
Canada’s recent strategic report called “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future” provides reasons for the rise in French-speaking PR admission targets. IRCC and the Canadian government demonstrate key findings and an action plan concerned with the new strategy of Canada’s immigration system.
The new report consists of IRCC’s plan to increase the importance of Francophone minority communities. This plan comprises those residing outside Quebec.
IRCC confirms that this action plan’s objective is to fulfill its wish to establish a detailed and coordinated progressive plan for Canadian immigration. This is an initiative that focuses on supporting communities.
Particularly, IRCC states that their target is to increase Francophones. This is part of a bigger initiative to improve regional immigration. Moreover, it will support welcoming communities in Canada.
In order to accomplish this objective, IRCC will take the following steps:
- To “work toward rebuilding and expanding [the] demographic impact” of Francophone minority groups across Canada, create a new Francophone Immigration Policy.
- Enhance promotion and selection initiatives of Francophone Permanent Residents.
- Assist the settlement and integration of Francophone immigrants within communities of minority sections of French-speaking newcomers.
- Establish ambitious yet achievable goals to continuously increase Francophone PR admissions.
Together, these factors explain Canada’s objective of bolstering and expanding the immigration of French speakers throughout the nation, which accounts for the anticipated rise in the admissions target for this group of new PRs.
The significant progress of IRCC in welcoming Francophones through the latest immigration plan
In November 2023, Marc Miller reiterated during the National Francophone Immigration Week the significance Canada witnesses within Francophone immigration. He further stated that the National Francophone Immigration Week enables them to promote the significance of French-speaking immigrants arriving in Canada.
This is the perfect time to show gratitude toward the French-speaking immigrants who have contributed significantly to Canada. Their contributions are cultural, economic, and demographic.
Besides this, Canada also launched its Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 in April 2023. This plan consists of all the details regarding the process of acquiring funding to assist the progress of Canadian official languages.
This plan also indicates that IRCC will spend $18.5 million to enhance and establish recruitment support for Francophone immigration in Canada and other countries. This includes the Middle East, the Americas, Africa and Europe.
In addition, IRCC stated that $50 million will be invested in strengthening the Francophone immigration pathway. As a result, settlement and integration will become convenient for new immigrants arriving in Canada. Moreover, it will enhance the receiving potential of French-speaking minority communities.
These measures for the future will operate to function with the existing efforts to raise Francophone immigration in Canada. This also includes the manner in which French-speaking immigrants get an advantage from the Express Entry system. These are associated with the standard Express Entry draws and IRCC’s Express Entry category selection.
Express Entry candidates with French-speaking ability
Express Entry candidates with French-language skills will be able to earn extra points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. Furthermore, this will heighten their chances of obtaining an ITA for Canadian permanent residence during a subsequent regular draw.
On the other hand, IRCC has launched six new categories for eligible candidates with French-speaking skills. This further implies that qualifying immigration candidates with French proficiency will gain eligibility for an ITA. This means an opportunity for an Express Entry invitation in a distinct draw as well as standard Express Entry draws. The regular draws give more importance to higher CRS scores.
The immigration department of Canada has effectively increased immigration to Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec through programs like the ones mentioned above. As part of this, more than 16,300 new immigrants will be welcomed into these towns in 2022, helping them meet their stated goal of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec.
If you wish to know more about Canada Express Entry, connect with our immigration experts at MakeHomeCanada. Our considerable experience in the immigration field can help you. You may write to us [email protected]
