Highest number of Francophone newcomers welcomed since 2006

From: IRCC

Image credit: News Canada

The contribution of Francophone immigration is undeniable because it enriches the linguistic, demographic and economic fabric of Francophone communities.

Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marie-France Lalonde, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, and Marc G. Serré, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Official Languages, announced that Canada has achieved its target of 4.4 per cent of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec in 2022.

Over the past year, more than 16,300 new immigrants have settled in Francophone minority communities across Canada. During the first census year in 2006, the number of admissions of French-speaking residents outside Quebec was just over 2,800. This represents a significant jump of 3.02 per cent (from 1.38 per cent to 4.4 per cent) between 2006 and 2022. This is the largest number of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec that the country has welcomed since the data began to be recorded. These newcomers contribute to the development of those communities outside Quebec and to the diversity of Canada’s cultural and linguistic landscape. They also help strengthen the economy of the communities in which they have settled.

By achieving this target, Canada shows it is involved in and supports enhancing the vitality of Francophone minority communities. The accomplishment also means that those newcomers are making a greater contribution to promoting the French language and addressing the labour shortage throughout the country. None of this would be possible without close collaboration with the provinces and territories, as well as with Francophone stakeholders.

“We are showing that Francophone immigration is at the heart of the values that make Canada rich, both culturally and through the distinct character of its two official languages,” said Fraser. “We have achieved our target. We will continue to welcome French-speaking immigrants to ensure the viability of these key communities that are helping to shape the future of our country.”

A few quick facts:

• Over the past five years, the number of Francophone immigrants has increased by 42,470 permanent residents. This means that Canada has welcomed more than three times the number of immigrants compared with 2018.

• French is the first official language spoken by a growing number of Canadians, but the proportion that French-speaking Canadians represents dropped from 2016 (22.2 per cent) to 2021 (21.4 per cent).