Question Period Note: FRANCOPHONE IMMIGRATION TARGET

Increasing Francophone Immigration to reach a target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023

• The Government is a champion of Canada’s two official languages and recognizes that immigration is key to supporting the vitality of Francophone minority communities across the country.
• We take our responsibilities seriously to reach the target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023.
• This is why I announced that French-speaking and bilingual candidates will receive additional points under the Express Entry system. We expect that this change will help us reach the target by 2023.
• We remain committed, especially during the pandemic, to other measures that include increasing promotion and recruitment of French-speaking candidates and developing a Francophone Integration Pathway, including Welcoming Francophone Communities.

If pressed:

• In 2019, French-speaking admissions represented 2.82% of all immigrants admitted to Canada outside Quebec, an increase from previous years.

• In March 2019, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced the Meeting our Objectives: Francophone Immigration Strategy with a goal of achieving a target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023.

• The 4.4% target was established in 2003 and was equal to the proportion of Francophones in the Canadian population outside Quebec as per the 2001 Census. According to the 2016 Census, more than 1 million Francophones in Canada were living outside Quebec, representing 3.8% of the population. Unless actions are taken, the proportion could decrease to 3% by 2036. Immigration is one of the solutions to address the demographic decline.

• From 2003 to 2019, over 60,000 French-speaking immigrants were admitted to Canada outside Quebec – 8,465 in 2019 alone. Despite a positive trend in admissions of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec, French-speaking immigrant admissions represented 2.82% of all immigrants admitted to Canada outside Quebec in 2019 – still far below the 4.4% target.

• Additional points to candidates with strong French-speaking skills under Express Entry were initially introduced in June 2017 and have been successful at increasing French-speaking admissions outside of Quebec. Since the introduction of these additional points, an increased share of invitations issued to French-tested candidates under Express Entry has also been observed from 2.9% in 2017 to 5.6% in 2019.

• In 2019, French-speaking admissions under Express Entry represented 52% of all French-speaking admissions outside Quebec, overall, making Express Entry the most promising tool to increase French-speaking admissions outside Quebec. This is why starting on October 27, 2020, the current number of points awarded through Express Entry increased from 15 to 25 for French-speaking candidates and from 30 to 50 for bilingual candidates. The Department is also exploring complementary measures in an effort to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

• The impact of the COVID-19 situation on Canada’s immigration objectives is a primary concern, as we assess how to adapt the Department’s programs in light of an evolving context. The Department is closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on Francophone immigration outside of Quebec. Despite current challenges, the Department expects that the October 2020 change in Express Entry will enable us to meet our 4.4% target by 2023.

• Under the Francophone Immigration Strategy, the Department is also pursuing year-round targeted promotion and recruitment support activities to attract a growing number of qualified French-speaking candidates, as well as supporting a successful integration and retention of French-speaking newcomers, through the consolidation of a Francophone integration pathway and adapted language training.

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