Skilled workers applying for permanent residency will have an advantage if they speak French. (iStock)

Canada to increase French-speaking immigration

The federal government will give an advantage to skilled workers who speak French and are applying for permanent residency and immigration to Canada. The decision does not apply to those applying to come to the French-speaking province of Quebec, since that province runs its own immigration program

The majority of early colonists who came to Canada came from England and France, so for historical reasons, the two official languages of Canada are English and French. However, the majority of people in the province of Quebec are Francophones and, in the rest of Canada, Francophones make up a minority. So, the federal government seeks to boost their numbers through immigration.

“We will continue to attract Francophone immigrants to make sure that Francophone minority communities flourish,” states Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marco Mendicino. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press/file)

‘The right thing to do’

Supporting the development of Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec is part of this government’s plan for economic growth and long-term prosperity throughout the country,” said Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in a statement. “It is also the right thing to do to help support Francophone communities right across Canada. We will continue to attract Francophone immigrants to make sure that Francophone minority communities flourish.”  

The change will mean French-speaking and bilingual candidates will receive extra points under the Express Entry system. That is an online platform which manages applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The change is designed to help the government reach its commitment to increase French-speaking immigrant admissions outside of Quebec to 4.4 per cent by 2023. In 2019, the percentage reached an increase of 2.82 per cent from previous years.

From 2003 to 2019, more than 60,000 Francophone immigrants were welcomed to Canada in communities outside Quebec. There were 8,465 in 2019 alone.

The government is also providing $40.8 million over five years to non-profit organizations that help settle French-speaking immigrants.

Categories: Immigration & Refugees, Society
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