Canada Surpasses 2025 Francophone Immigration Goal, Plans Further Increases

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Canada exceeded its 2025 target for admitting French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec, reaching 8.9% of total admissions. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the government has surpassed its ambitious goal, reflecting successful collaboration with provinces, territories, and community partners. As part of the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC will continue raising targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, with goals of 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, and 10.5% in 2028. To support this, 5,000 federal selection spots annually will be reserved for provinces and territories to nominate French-speaking immigrants, supplementing the Provincial Nominee Program and addressing labour market demands. IRCC highlighted initiatives such as the French-language proficiency category within the Express Entry system and the Francophone Mobility program that contribute to the recruitment and retention of Francophone immigrants outside Quebec. These measures align with the government’s priorities to enhance workforce capacity and strengthen the vitality of Francophone and Acadian minority communities.