Canada Surpasses 2025 Target for Francophone Immigration Outside Quebec

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that Canada exceeded its 2025 goal for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, admitting approximately 8.9% of French-speaking permanent residents, surpassing the 8.5% target. This marks the fourth consecutive year Canada has met or exceeded its Francophone immigration objectives. The government attributes this success to collaborative efforts with provinces, territories, and community groups, as well as initiatives like the French-language proficiency category in Express Entry and the Francophone Mobility Program. Looking ahead, the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan includes plans to increase the share of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec to 9% in 2026, rising to 10.5% by 2028. The plan also introduces 5,000 dedicated federal selection spots for French-speaking applicants, to be allocated alongside Provincial Nominee Program quotas, aiming to address workforce demands for Francophone and bilingual workers. IRCC emphasizes the importance of Francophone immigration to support minority communities across Canada, foster economic growth, and enhance the vitality of the French language outside Quebec. The Express Entry system continues to play a central role in managing applications from skilled workers under federal and provincial programs.