Immigration rules eased for French speaking temporary workers

The Canadian government is easing the immigration rules for French speakers who want to work outside of Quebec.

Starting yesterday, skilled French-speaking temporary workers from abroad who want to work in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec will be exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment. This will make it easier for Canadian employers to hire them.

“Immigration, both temporary and permanent, has a role to play in supporting vital, vibrant Francophone minority communities anywhere across Canada,” said Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Minister, John McCallum. “Mobilité Francophone benefits the employers, the newcomers and the minority communities and it enhances our diverse nation.”

People working in Canada with a Mobilité Francophone temporary work permit will be able to stay in Canada long enough to acquire valuable Canadian work experience. This will help them qualify for permanent residency programmes and increase the likelihood that they will be invited to apply for permanent residence in the Express Entry system.

“The implementation of Mobilité Francophone is very good news, since the specific objective is to increase the number of French-speaking immigrants settling in our communities. The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne (FCFA) and the Réseaux en immigration francophone (RIF) are proud to have helped develop this initiative,” said Sylviane Lanthier, president of the FCFA  of Canada.

Before launching Mobilité Francophone, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada consulted and collaborated with Francophone minority communities and organisations across Canada to ensure that the new temporary work permit stream of the International Mobility Program aligns with the communities’ interests and needs.

Article by David Fuller