Francophone immigrants to Canada will soon benefit from enhanced settlement support as the federal government rolls out the expanded Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFCs) initiative.
What is the Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFCs) Initiative?
The Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFCs) initiative is a key part of Canada’s Francophone Immigration Policy, designed to help French-speaking newcomers settle and integrate successfully. The program fosters connections, provides settlement services, and strengthens a sense of belonging for immigrants in Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada.
This initiative follows a “by and for Francophones” approach, meaning local Francophone communities help select and manage participating regions. The program is jointly managed by:
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Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
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Francophone and Acadian communities, represented by:
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The 13 Réseaux en immigration francophone (Francophone Immigration Networks)
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The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada
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The Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick
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While the program primarily serves permanent residents, some services may also be available to Francophone temporary workers and international students in selected communities.
Which Communities Are Part of the WFCs Initiative?
The expanded WFCs initiative includes 24 Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada:
| Province/Territory | Community |
|---|---|
| Alberta | Calgary |
| British Columbia | Nanaimo, Prince George |
| Manitoba | Red River (Ritchot, Salaberry, Montcalm, St-Pierre-Jolys), Seine River region |
| New Brunswick | Belle-Baie (Bathurst & Pabineau First Nation), Caraquet (Rivière du Nord & Hautes-Terres), Haut Saint-Jean, Restigouche West (Saint-Quentin & Kedgwick) |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Labrador City–Wabush |
| Nova Scotia | Chéticamp (including St. Joseph du Moine), Clare |
| Ontario | Cochrane District (Route 11 Corridor), Cornwall, Hamilton, Hawkesbury, London, Sudbury |
| Prince Edward Island | Évangéline region |
| Saskatchewan | Moose Jaw & Gravelbourg, Prince Albert |
| Northwest Territories | Yellowknife |
| Yukon | Whitehorse |
| Nunavut | Iqaluit |
Canada’s Growing Focus on Francophone Immigration
The Canadian government is increasing efforts to attract Francophone immigrants to strengthen linguistic diversity. Key targets include:
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7% of immigrants outside Quebec to be Francophone by 2025
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8% by 2026
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Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed raising this to 12% by 2029—which could mean 47,400 Francophone newcomers annually at current immigration levels.
How Did the Previous WFCs Pilot Program Work?
From 2020 to 2024, the WFCs initiative operated as a pilot program in 14 Francophone minority communities. Each received federal funding to develop local integration strategies, including:
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French-language settlement services
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Employment support
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Cultural orientation and networking events
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Public awareness campaigns
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Training for local service providers
The success of the pilot led to its expansion, with lessons shaping the new 2025-2026 rollout.
What’s Next for the WFCs Initiative?
IRCC will finalize eligibility criteria and service details ahead of the program’s official launch in 2025-2026. This expansion reflects Canada’s commitment to supporting Francophone immigration and ensuring newcomers thrive in their new communities.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available!
