Canada recently unveiled Immigration Levels Plan for 2024-2026. IRCC aims to embrace 31,500 French-speaking permanent residents (PRs) in 2025. And an additional 36,000 newcomers under the same category in 2026.
The annual publication by Canada’s immigration department, the Immigration Levels Plan, serves as a blueprint for determining the number of new PRs admitted into the country over the next three years.
Furthermore, the Immigration Levels Plan outlines PR targets for each of Canada’s three main immigration classes. Economic, family, and refugee/humanitarian.
In the overall number of new permanent residents in 2025 and 2026 stabilization is projected. With a consistent admissions target of 500,000 new PRs in both years. A closer examination of the figures reveals an anticipated growth in admissions within one specific immigration category over the outlined two-year period in this year’s plan.
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Why is IRCC Aiming to Expand the Number of French-speaking PR Admissions Outside Quebec?
You can find the rationale behind the heightened admissions target for overall French-speaking PRs in Canada’s recent strategic report. Titled “An Immigration System for Canada’s Future.”
Released by IRCC and the Canadian government, this report outlines findings and an action plan derived from extensive consultations with various stakeholders, presenting a new strategy for Canada’s immigration system. As part of this report, IRCC has articulated its objective to enhance “the vitality of Francophone minority communities,” including those outside of Quebec.
Moreover, according to IRCC, this aspect of the action plan aligns with the department’s goal. Which is to “develop a comprehensive and coordinated growth plan” for immigration in the country. This strategy involves actively “supporting communities through actions such as this.” Specifically, IRCC emphasizes that its focus on increasing French-speaking immigration contributes to exploring “opportunities to enhance regional immigration [and] supporting welcoming communities across Canada.”
IRCC has outlined specific actions to achieve this goal, including:
- Developing a new Francophone Immigration Policy. “Work toward restoring and increasing [the] demographic weight” of Francophone minority communities across Canada.
- “Boosting promotion and selection efforts” of French-speaking PRs.
- Supporting the “settlement and integration of French-speaking immigrants in Francophone minority communities.”
- Setting “ambitious yet attainable targets to increase [Francophone PR admissions] on an ongoing basis.”
In summary, the projected increase in the admissions target for this category of new PRs is rooted in Canada’s overarching goal of fostering the growth and strengthening of French-language immigration throughout the country.
Which Immigration Category is Set to Experience an Increase in Admissions Targets from 2025 to 2026?
In 2026, IRCC has indicated that the admissions target for “overall French-speaking Permanent Resident Admissions outside Quebec*” will rise by 4,500 compared to the target in 2025.
*It is crucial to note the distinction related to admissions outside Quebec, emphasizing that Quebec operates under its own immigration rules, programs, and policies separate from the rest of Canada.
This stands out because it is the sole admissions category where the stated target increases in the final two years of the Immigration Levels Plan. Meanwhile, the overall admissions target of 500,000 remains unchanged between 2025 and 2026. With all specified targets expected to remain stable over those years.
The one admissions category anticipated to witness a decrease in its admissions target between 2025 and 2026 is the “Economic Pilots” category. Encompassing the following three immigration pathways:
- Agri-Food Pilot
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
- Economic Mobility Pathways Project.
The admissions target for this category decreases from 14,750 in 2025 to 13,750 in 2026.
IRCC’s Recent Achievements in Advancing Francophone Immigration Throughout Canada
In November of this year, Immigration Minister Marc Miller reiterated Canada’s commitment to the significance of Francophone immigration. In his statement, Miller emphasized: “National Francophone Immigration Week allows us to highlight the importance of Francophone immigration to Canada. It is the time to express our appreciation for the extraordinary contribution of French-speaking immigrants to Canada’s cultural, demographic, and economic richness.”
Furthermore, in April of this year, Canada unveiled its Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028. Outlining how the immigration department is securing funding to support the development of official languages in the country.
As part of this plan, IRCC has disclosed a commitment of $18.5 million “to promote and build recruitment support for Francophone immigration. Both in Canada and abroad, including in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.” IRCC has also allocated $50 million “to further consolidate the Francophone integration pathway. Including facilitating settlement and integration for newcomers to Canada and enhancing the reception capacity of Francophone minority communities.”
These upcoming initiatives complement ongoing efforts to boost Francophone immigration across Canada. This includes enhancements to how Francophone immigrants benefit from the Express Entry application management system. Within the context of standard Express Entry draws and IRCC’s novel category-based selection system.
