IRCC is working to expand the Francophone mobility stream under the International Mobility Program (IMP) to include French-speaking temporary workers from all skill sets and occupations, in support of its permanent resident admission targets.
However, the goal is to welcome 26,100 francophone permanent residents outside of Quebec in 2024, 31,500 in 2025 and 36,000 in 2026.
In support of Francophone immigration post-2023, the department is exploring certain action areas which complement the proposals under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028. These include:
- Integration of a Francophone lens in Express Entry reforms
- Expansion of pathways to permanent residence (PR) for French speaking international students and foreign workers
Francophone lens in Express Entry
The IRCC memo explains that Express Entry reforms could allow for greater flexibility in candidate selection under new authorities for category-based selection, which could create a mechanism to directly select French-speaking and bilingual candidates.
Given that Express Entry is already a key mechanism in supporting Francophone immigration, integrating a Francophone lens into the reforms could be important in maximizing the potential of Express Entry for Francophone immigration.
Expansion of TR to PR pathways for French speakers
According to the memo, the expansion of temporary resident (TR) to permanent resident (PR) pathways for French speaking international students and temporary foreign workers can be done by expanding existing programs that support this type of transition or considering new TR to PR pathways that would target specific trades or professions.
