Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that for the fourth consecutive year, Canada exceeded its goal for admitting French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec, reaching 8.9% in 2025. This achievement reflects ongoing efforts to support Francophone and Acadian communities across the country and address labour market needs.
The 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan includes further increases to these targets: 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, and 10.5% in 2028, moving towards a 12% target by 2029. Additionally, starting in 2026, the federal government will allocate 5,000 reserved spots annually for provinces and territories to nominate French-speaking immigrants, complementing existing Provincial Nominee Program allocations.
IRCC’s initiatives supporting Francophone immigration include the French-language proficiency category within the Express Entry system, the Francophone Mobility program, and community-based projects under the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative. These measures aim to strengthen the economic and cultural vitality of Francophone minority communities outside Quebec while fulfilling official language priorities outlined in Budget 2025.
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canada.ca