Strengthening Francophone Communities Through International Student and Immigrant Programs

Canada’s commitment to supporting Francophone communities remains steadfast with the launch of new initiatives to boost Francophone immigration. Recognizing the importance of these communities to the nation’s identity, Canada is actively working to attract French-speaking newcomers who can enrich the cultural, social, linguistic, and economic fabric of Francophone minority communities (FMCs).

At the Acadian World Congress in Nova Scotia, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, unveiled the new Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) program, set to launch on August 26, 2024. This initiative, in collaboration with designated French-language and bilingual post-secondary institutions, aims to attract French-speaking international students to Canada’s FMCs. Additionally, Minister Miller announced the expansion of the Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFC) initiative, adding 10 new communities to the program.

Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot Program

Canada acknowledges that many French-speaking international students from Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas have faced challenges in obtaining study permits. The FMCSP is designed to address these issues by making Canada’s International Student Program more accessible to a diverse group of students. This pilot program, a cornerstone of Canada’s new Policy on Francophone Immigration, seeks to improve study permit approval rates by removing the requirement for students and their families to prove that they will leave Canada after their temporary stay. Furthermore, financial requirements will be adjusted to 75% of the low-income cut-off for the municipality where the student’s institution is located.

Participants in the FMCSP will benefit from a direct pathway to permanent residency after completing their studies. They will also have access to settlement services during their studies, facilitating their integration into Canadian society. With their French language skills and Canadian education, these graduates are expected to make significant contributions to the Canadian workforce and to the vitality of FMCs across the country. The FMCSP is exempt from the annual cap on study permit applications, with each participating institution allocated a specific number of acceptance letters for the program. In its first year, the program will accept up to 2,300 study permit applications, with a cap for the second year to be set by August 2025.

Expanding Welcoming Francophone Communities &

Supporting Francophone Immigration

In January 2024, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a series of initiatives to bolster Francophone immigration, including the renewal and expansion of the WFC initiative. This initiative supports the economic and cultural integration of French-speaking newcomers by creating environments in which they can thrive. With the addition of 10 new communities, there are now 24 WFCs across Canada. These communities, selected based on their potential to create welcoming environments for French-speaking immigrants, will receive funding to continue fostering the integration of newcomers.

The Canadian government’s commitment to Francophone immigration is further demonstrated through the Francophone Immigration Support Program, which funds innovative projects aimed at removing barriers to Francophone immigration. This program enables FMCs to participate in international promotion and recruitment efforts, addressing labor shortages and strengthening these communities.

These initiatives are backed by an investment of over $137 million as part of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028. The plan outlines ambitious targets for Francophone immigration outside Quebec, aiming for 6% in 2024, 7% in 2025, and 8% in 2026. By the end of 2023, the target of 4.4% had already been surpassed, reaching approximately 4.7%.

Eligible Countries and Communities

To be eligible for the FMCSP, applicants must be citizens of specific countries that are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie in Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

Eligible Countries Include:

• Benin
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cabo Verde
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominica
• Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon
• Guinea
• Guinea-Bissau
• Haiti
• Lebanon
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Morocco
• Niger
• Rwanda
• Saint Lucia
• São Tomé and Principe
• Senegal
• Seychelles
• Togo
• Tunisia

Candidates must have a letter of acceptance from a participating designated learning institution (DLI) stating that they are applying under the FMCSP. The study program must meet the following criteria:

• Be at the post-secondary level
• Be full-time
• Be 2 years or more of study
• Lead to a degree or diploma
• Have French as the primary language of instruction (over 50% of the classes are taught in French)

Candidates are also required to have enough money to pay for tuition fees and living expenses for themselves and any family members accompanying them to Canada. They must live outside of Canada when applying and prove their French language skills are at a level 5 or higher in the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens scale (TEF or TCF).

Required Funds:

By welcoming students from these countries and enhancing collaboration with community partners, Canada is making significant strides toward achieving its ambitious Francophone immigration goals. The program now includes ten additional communities. To choose these places, the IRCC collaborated with the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada, the Association francophone des municipalités du Nouveau-Brunswick, and the Réseaux en immigration francophone in these provinces.

New Communities Selected:

Minister Marc Miller emphasized the importance of Francophone immigration, stating, “Francophone immigration plays a crucial role in strengthening our national identity. The numerous measures we are implementing will attract skilled Francophone workers who will support the economic and cultural development of these communities.” Minister Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages, added, “The measures announced today aimed at promoting Francophone immigration are fundamental for the future and sustainability of Francophone communities in minority situations across the country.”

Through these initiatives, the Government of Canada is reinforcing its commitment to the vitality and long-term growth of Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. By welcoming more French-speaking students and immigrants, Canada is addressing immediate labor needs and ensuring the continued vibrancy of its Francophone heritage. With the launch of the FMCSP and the expansion of the WFC initiative, Canada is taking significant steps toward achieving its ambitious goals for Francophone immigration in the coming years.