By admin (May 21, 2024)

High number of Francophone newcomers welcomed by Canada, meeting its Francophone Immigration Target in 2022

From 2016 to 2022, there was a drop in the proportion of French-speaking Canadians, i.e., from 22.2% to 21.4%. Because of this, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the goal of immigration of 4.4% of French-speaking foreign nationals outside Quebec by 2023.

On January 23rd, 2023, in Sturgeon Falls, the Honorable IRCC Minister Sean Fraser announced that Canada has achieved the 4.4% target in 2022. Since the year 2006, Canada welcomed the highest number of francophone newcomers in 2022. Only 2800 francophone residents were residing outside Quebec in 2006, making up 1.38% of immigrants. 

Across Canada, more than 16,300 new immigrants were settled in francophone minorities over the past year which was representing a jump of 3.02% since 2006. This is the largest number of French-speaking immigrants that ever settled outside of Quebec since Canada started to record immigration data.

There was an increase in the population of Francophone immigrants over the past 5 years, by 42,470 permanent residents with immigration levels rising each year. After reaching their target, Canada has also welcomed several immigrants which are more than 3 times, since 2018.

Canada has shown its support for understanding the importance of Francophone newcomers to the country by reaching its target and developing the strength of francophone minorities outside of Quebec. The newcomers have contributed to the diversity of Canada’s linguistic and cultural landscape by promoting the French language.

By handling the labour shortages across the country, francophone newcomers have also contributed to economic development. In upcoming years, francophone immigration will be prioritized continuously outside Quebec by the Government of Canada by committing to economic prosperity and promoting population growth.

Through the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023, the Canadian Government allocated $ 40.7 million for Francophone immigration initiatives. Ginette Petitpas Taylor, the Honorable Minister of official languages discussed how they hope to adopt a new Francophone immigration policy during the announcement. The policy will have objectives and targets to ensure the perpetuation of the French language in the country as presented in Bill C-13.