Canada Increases the Francophone Mobility Program to Boost the Immigration of Francophones

Francophone Immigration is the top priority for the Canadian government. The nation has always been a leader in its efforts to welcome as many French-speaking citizens as possible by putting into place creative measures to enhance newcomers’ contributions to minority communities and therefore preserve the country’s social fabric. The Francophone Mobility Program has been expanded by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, Sean Fraser, for a two-year period. Under this scheme, a Canadian business may extend a job offer to a competitive applicant for any National Occupation Classification position who speaks French moderately well, with the exception of those in primary agriculture. This policy, which was previously restricted to highly qualified French-speaking temporary foreign workers, now makes it possible for more French-speaking immigrants to enter Canada and potentially become citizens.

The requirements for all foreign nationals seeking work permits under the Francophone Mobility Program have also been modified to reflect their level of French language competency. For oral comprehension and oral expression, the temporary foreign national must have a reasonable level of French language competency. This corresponds to the language requirements level 5. The pool of eligible French-speaking foreign nationals will grow as a result of these increased language criteria, which also satisfy the French language requirements for all of these professions.

Additionally, candidates are now required to show evidence that they meet these linguistic criteria. A French evaluation test, the French Competencies Test, a diploma or degree from a French college or university, or a document attesting to studies at a French-language institution are just a few examples of documentary evidence that can be used.

The government of Canada is now better able to demonstrate its commitment to encouraging population growth and economic prosperity in the nation as a result of these reforms made as part of the Francophone Mobility Program. They also enable it to continue its efforts to alleviate the workforce deficit and support the vitality of Francophone minority communities.

Facts

• The Francophone Mobility program, a part of the International Mobility program, was introduced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada in 2016 to assist firms in hiring highly qualified temporary foreign workers in French from Francophone areas outside of Quebec.
• Employers can more easily engage competent temporary French-speaking foreign workers to work and gain valuable work experience in Francophone minority areas in Canada outside of Quebec thanks to the Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption from the Francophone Mobility program.
• The program also raises the chances that French-speaking temporary foreign workers will be invited to apply for permanent residence if they have submitted a profile in the Express Entry system and helps them qualify for the program for permanent residents.

Statistics

• Under this program, the IRCC awarded 1,900 work permits in 2019 (including extensions), and these numbers stayed the same in 2020 and 2021.
• Out of the 5,700 people who had temporary work permits between June 2016 and December 2020, 1,080 became permanent residents.
• Nearly two-thirds of candidates for the Francophone Mobility program are employed in fields requiring post-secondary education or an apprenticeship lasting between six months and two years.