IRCC aims to strengthen Francophone immigration

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a number of key initiatives to improve and grow services for francophone immigrants.

As part of National Francophone Immigration Week, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen has reinforced the view that promoting Francophone immigration is a priority for the Government of Canada.

“The Government of Canada is proud to recognise the contributions of French-speaking newcomers to the vitality and dynamism of Francophone communities outside Quebec,” said Hussen. “From pre-arrival to citizenship, ensuring the successful integration and retention of French-speaking immigrants will help them thrive economically, culturally and socially and will help to grow both our economy and our country.”

The Government believes that reinforcing Francophone settlement services from pre-arrival to citizenship will ensure the successful integration and retention of French-speaking newcomers to Canada. To achieve this, IRCC is creating an CDN$11 million five-year collaborative partnership with la Cité that will provide pre-arrival services to French-speaking newcomers. La Cité will act as the primary point of contact for French-speaking newcomers, while four regional partners will provide province-specific and other tailored information.

Immigrants proficient in one of Canada’s official languages are more likely to successfully establish economically in Canada, the IRCC says. Demonstrating those skills are required to become an economic immigrant. Minister Hussen has announced that the Centre international d’études pédagogiques has been designated as a second French-language tester for economic immigrants, starting in December 2018. Having a second French-language tester should help make the tests more accessible and affordable.

“Thanks to its two official languages, Canada stands out in the world, and Francophone immigration will allow us to strengthen this advantage,” says Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie. “Today’s announcement will make it easier for us to welcome French-speaking immigrants and to ensure the development of Francophone communities, for the benefit of all Canadians.”

As announced in Budget 2018, and included in the Official Languages Action Plan, the Government will also invest almost CDN$36.6 million over the next five years on a Francophone Integration Pathway, creating lasting ties between French-speaking newcomers and Francophone minority communities. On 19th November, IRCC will launch an expression of interest process seeking an organisation to deliver official language training for French-speaking immigrants and allophone newcomers who have declared French as their official language of preference, in Francophone minority communities.

And in the coming weeks, as many as 14 communities across Canada will be selected as part of a Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative to create a space where French-speaking newcomers will feel welcome.

Article published 8th November 2018