According to the latest reports, Marc Miller announced new Francophone immigration initiatives. The immigration minister discussed some new measures to support Francophone immigration outside Quebec.
Marc Miller announced new Francophone immigration initiatives
These initiatives are as follows:
- Introduction of a new Francophone immigration policy.
- Expansion and rejuvenation of Welcoming Francophone Communities.
- A new program encouraging Francophone immigration.
- Execution of the Action Plan for Official Languages.
Minister Miller claimed that this new Francophone immigration policy would motivate the growth of French-speaking minority groups or communities. This also means that the policy will prioritize these communities, increasing their importance. The policy includes promotion and hiring initiatives to combat labor shortages.
The rejuvenation of the measures under the Welcoming Francophone Communities, 14 communities in Canada will obtain funds to assist the integration of Francophone newcomers.
A program called the Francophone Immigration Support Program will provide funding to projects. These projects will help in removing the barriers to Francophone immigration.
Marc Miller claimed that in December 2023, they managed to encompass the target of 4.4 percent admission of French-speaking residents outside Quebec. Moreover, they reached a target of 4.7 percent. Previously, IRCC claimed that they have a Francophone admission target of 6 percent outside Quebec for 2024. In addition, the upcoming targets are 7 percent in 2025 and 8 percent in 2026.
Furthermore, he even stated that French-speaking immigration holds a vital role in solidifying their national identities. Through the execution of these multiple initiatives, they will be able to invite skilled French-speaking immigrants who will lead to the economic and social development of these communities. In addition, their efforts toward successfully integrating Francophone immigrants align with their undeniable commitment to delivering an increased rate of Francophone minority communities.
The initiatives for Francophone immigration
In 2023, IRCC developed new eligibility criteria for selecting candidates who would apply for Express Entry programs. These are namely the FSTP, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program. These new criteria essentially emphasized a candidate’s professional experience in Canada’s in-demand occupations. These new selection criteria also required strong French language skills. Individuals possessing eligibility for this category would need to demonstrate French language proficiency equivalent to a CLB of 7 or beyond in reading, writing, speaking, or listening.
IRCC’s Francophone immigration plan led to the development of this new category. This became prevalent in 2019. Out of all its other goals, the immigration plan looked forward to increasing the ratio of Francophone newcomers outside of Quebec. The ratio had to be 4.4 percent toward the end of 2023. As a part of this plan, it would be best to integrate and retain Francophone newcomers and solidify the potential of French-speaking communities in Canada.
The Canadian government’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028 supports all the above initiatives. It commits over $80 million CAD for the next five years to several Francophone immigration activities. These include the following:
- Strengthening French-speaking integration pathways.
- Hiring primary and secondary-level teachers with French proficiency.
- Enhancing Francophone immigration measures under the present frameworks.
The reason behind Francophone immigration
The Official Languages Act makes it compulsory for Canada’s federal government to follow the mandate of preserving and protecting the status of French and English languages as official languages. The government’s goals include promoting the status of English and French as equals in official Canadian institutions and society and aiding in the growth of minority linguistic communities in Canada that speak either French or English. Also, the government must ensure that both official languages of Canada are respected and allowed to flourish.
The department has launched these efforts to welcome more French-speaking entrants. This is because, as a result of these goals, the IRCC has the responsibility of accepting and assisting Francophone newcomers to Canada. It is also responsible for providing additional support to French-speaking groups located within the nation.
If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our MakeHomeCanada experts at 1-800-979-0509, or you can drop us an email at [email protected].
