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.
• The department takes its responsibilities seriously to reach the target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec by 2023.
• In October 2020, IRCC announced that French-speaking and bilingual candidates will receive additional points under the Express Entry system. It is expected that this change will help reach the target by 2023.
• The Government remains 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 initiative.

If pressed:

o In 2020, French-speaking admissions represented 3.61% 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 2020, more than 65,000 French-speaking immigrants were admitted to Canada outside Quebec. Despite a positive trend in admissions of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec, French-speaking immigrant admissions represented 3.61% of all immigrants admitted to Canada outside Quebec in 2020; 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 5.2% in 2020.

• In 2020, 58% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec were admitted under the Express Entry system, making Express Entry the most promising tool to increase French-speaking admissions outside Quebec. In October 2020, IRCC announced that French-speaking and bilingual candidates will receive additional points under the Express Entry system. The change will see the current number of points increase from 15 to 25 for French-speaking candidates and from 30 to 50 for bilingual candidates. The department is also exploring additional 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.

• The October 2020 change in Express Entry will help deliver on the government’s commitment to reach the target of 4.4% French-speaking immigrant admissions outside Quebec by 2023 and will contribute to the achievement of goals of the department’s Francophone Immigration Strategy. Under the 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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