Canada reduces overall immigration but will prioritize Francophones outside Quebec

The federal government of Canada has announced that it will reduce the total number of immigrants admitted to the country, although it will make an important exception: Francophones settling outside Quebec. Ottawa has set a new target that by 2029, 12% of permanent residents admitted outside Quebec will be Francophones, raising the previous goal from 10%.

Context of the change

Historically, Canada has struggled to meet its Francophone immigration targets. For years, the annual rate barely reached 2%, and it was only in 2022 that it achieved 4.4%. Even so, the proportion of the Francophone population outside Quebec has declined from 6.1% in 1971 to just 3.5% in 2021.

Prime Minister Mark Carney explained that this measure aims to strengthen economic prosperity and revitalize minority Francophone communities, especially in rural areas where labor shortages are most critical.

Implemented Measures

• New Express Entry draws focused on Francophones, aimed at facilitating the selection of French-speaking candidates.
• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, currently being tested in regions such as northern New Brunswick.
• Integration and retention strategies to ensure that those who arrive settle in a lasting way.

Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages, noted that a sustained effort will be required throughout the Francophone immigration process: from promotion abroad to full integration in Canada.

General Reduction of Immigration

At the same time, the government will reduce the total volume of admissions:

• 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, compared to the previous target of 500,000.
• The number of international students and temporary workers will be capped at less than 5% of the population by 2027.
• The annual cap on permanent residents will be set at less than 1% of the total population.

These measures respond to housing pressures and the rising cost of living. Recent statistics show zero population growth in 2025, after two consecutive quarters of decline in the temporary resident population.

Recent Results

Despite the restrictions, progress in Francophone immigration is already evident in 2024, when 7.2% of immigrants outside Quebec were Francophones, equivalent to 30,550 people. The president of the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities, Liane Roy, expressed her hope that one day the percentage will reach 20%.