Canada Surpasses 2025 Francophone Immigration Goal, Plans Further Increases

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reported exceeding its 2025 target for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, admitting French-speaking permanent residents at a rate of 8.9%, surpassing the 8.5% goal. This marks the fourth consecutive year the federal government has met or exceeded its targets, highlighting successful collaborative efforts with provinces, territories, and community groups. Looking ahead under the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, the government aims to progressively raise the proportion of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec to 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, and 10.5% in 2028. To support this, 5,000 federal immigration spots will be reserved for Francophone candidates designated by provinces and territories, supplementing the Provincial Nominee Program allocations. Measures supporting these goals include the French-language proficiency category within Express Entry, the Francophone Mobility program, and the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative. These programs aim to address workforce shortages and strengthen Francophone and Acadian minority communities across Canada, aligning with federal priorities to attract skilled immigrants and promote official languages. The Express Entry system remains a key pathway for skilled immigrants, including those in the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class, and part of the Provincial Nominee Program.