Strengthening Francophone Communities by Welcoming French-Speaking International Students and Immigrants
Francophone immigration is vital to reinforcing our national identity. That’s why Canada is intensifying its efforts to attract French-speaking newcomers who will enrich the linguistic, social, cultural, and economic landscape of Francophone minority communities (FMCs).
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the launch of the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) program on August 26, 2024. This initiative, in collaboration with designated French-language and bilingual post-secondary institutions, is aimed at improving access for French-speaking international students from regions with historically low study permit approval rates. Minister Miller also revealed the addition of 10 new communities to the Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFC) initiative during the Acadian World Congress in Nova Scotia.
Details of the Francophone Minority Communities Pilot Program
Canada acknowledges the significant pool of French-speaking international students in Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, and recognizes the past challenges in obtaining study permits. The new pilot program is designed to create fairer access to Canada’s International Student Program and support FMCs in attracting and retaining international students. Under this program, students and their families will be exempt from demonstrating intent to leave Canada after their temporary stay, and the financial requirement will be adjusted to 75% of the low-income cut-off for the municipality of the institution’s main campus.
Participants in the pilot will benefit from a direct pathway to permanent residency after graduation and will have access to settlement services while studying, aiding their successful integration into Canadian communities. Graduates will enhance the Canadian workforce and contribute to FMCs across the nation.
Although an annual cap on most study permits was introduced on January 22, 2024, the FMCSP will operate outside this cap. Each participating institution will receive a limited number of acceptance letters for processing study permits under the pilot program. A total of 2,300 study permit applications will be accepted in the first year, with the cap for the second year to be determined by August 2025.
Expansion of Welcoming Francophone Communities
On January 16, 2024, IRCC announced new measures to promote Francophone immigration, including the renewal and expansion of the WFC initiative. The ten new communities were selected through a consensus-building process led by Francophone Immigration Networks and the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick, with support from the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada.
These communities were chosen for their potential to be welcoming and inclusive for Francophone newcomers, fostering an environment where their identity is valued and integration is supported.
With the addition of these new communities, there will be a total of 24 WFCs across Canada, ready to provide a warm welcome to French-speaking newcomers and support their integration into their new communities.
New WFC Communities:
- British Columbia: Nanaimo
- Manitoba: Red River (Ritchot, Salaberry, Montcalm, and St-Pierre-Jolys)
- Nova Scotia: Chéticamp (including St. Joseph du Moine)
- New Brunswick: Belle-Baie (including Bathurst and the Pabineau First Nation), Caraquet (including Rivière du Nord and Hautes-Terres), Restigouche West Region (Saint-Quentin and Kedgwick)
- Saskatchewan: Prince Albert
- Ontario: Cornwall, Cochrane District (Route 11 Corridor), London
Quotes
“Promoting French is of utmost importance. By welcoming Francophone immigrants and supporting their integration, we contribute to the revitalization of these communities and address their skilled workforce needs. We are committed to helping more Francophone international students come to Canada and build futures in our vibrant Francophone communities,” said The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
“Supporting the vitality of our Francophone communities involves welcoming French-speaking international students and immigrants. This pilot program complements our efforts under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028 to enhance Francophone immigration and integration,” added The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages.
“The WFC initiative exemplifies the dedication of Francophone and Acadian communities to immigrant success. Over the past five years, leaders and volunteers have mobilized to create services for French-speaking immigrants, promoting inclusion and enhancing community attractiveness. We are excited to extend this support to the new communities announced today,” noted Liane Roy, president of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (FCFA).
Quick Facts
- FMCSP participants do not need to provide a provincial or territorial attestation letter with their study permit application but must present an acceptance letter from a participating DLI.
- A maximum of 2,300 applications will be accepted in the first year.
- Spouses or common-law partners of FMCSP applicants may also come to Canada and apply for permanent residence.
- The FMCSP webpage will include agreements with participating institutions as they become available.
- The new WFC communities are Nanaimo (British Columbia), Red River (Manitoba), Chéticamp (Nova Scotia), Belle-Baie, Caraquet, and Restigouche West Region (New Brunswick), Prince Albert (Saskatchewan), and Cornwall, Cochrane District, and London (Ontario).
Through the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028, the Government of Canada is investing $50 million to support the Francophone Integration Pathway, including $11 million over four years to expand the WFC initiative and other measures to facilitate Francophone immigrant integration.