This policy direction aligns with early expectations around the Minister’s mandate. When she was appointed, our May 2025 analysis noted that we could anticipate a continuation of pro-French policies—and, ideally, a return to more generous Provincial Nominee Program allocations. With the 2026–2028 levels plan now confirming significantly higher PNP quotas, it seems both of our predictions have proven correct. 

Turning Policy into Practical Supports 

The government emphasized that these projects reflect its Budget 2025 immigration priorities: filling labour shortages, enhancing community vitality, and attracting highly skilled Francophone and bilingual talent. The Minister noted that success depends not only on recruitment, but on integration, retention and the strength of the institutions that support newcomers. 

The four new projects, headed by the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration, include: 

1. Strengthening post-secondary support through the ACUFC: The Association des collèges etuniversités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) will lead a project to support Francophone colleges and universities outside Quebec. It aims to better understand the experiences of Francophone international students and improve their progression to permanent residence.  
2. Supporting international students at Université Sainte-Anne: Université Sainte-Anne will deliver tailored support to 45 international students across its Pointe-de-l’Égliseand Halifax campuses. Participants will be matched with mentors, volunteering opportunities, internships, and part-time employment, fostering stronger community connections and helping French-speaking graduates build long-term futures in Nova Scotia. 
3. Recruiting Francophone talent for rural Eastern Ontario: The Centre de services àl’emploi de Prescott-Russell (CESPR) will pilot a project to help local small- and medium-sized employers recruit 80 qualified Francophone workers. The project addresses pressing labour shortages while supporting economic development in Eastern Ontario’s rural communities. 
4. Ethical recruitment of Francophone nurses in New Brunswick: New Brunswick’s Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training andLabour will target Moroccan-trained nurses to help fill health-care gaps. Morocco has education standards that are comparable to provincial standards. The initiative includes competency support, credential recognition, and pathways to permanent residence, with a focus on ethical recruitment. 

A Look at the Reality on the Ground 

The announcement comes shortly after the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages released its midpoint observations on the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028. The review raised concerns about the gap between IRCC’s promotional messaging abroad and the lived reality in minority Francophone communities. 

One of the report’s most pointed observations noted that some IRCC missions abroad have presented an overly idealized “live in French” vision that does not fully acknowledge the challenges of life in minority-language regions. Front-line stakeholders reported feeling embarrassed when these portrayals glossed over the limited access to French-language services, social supports, and community infrastructure. As the Commissioner warned, this disconnect may undermine retention and influence newcomers to leave their host region—or Canada altogether—threatening the long-term success of the Francophone immigration strategy. 

Takeaways for Newcomers 

• If you don’t speak French, learning French remains a strong pathway to gaining permanent residence in Canada. It looks likely that it will remain that way for the foreseeable future, with planning extending to 2030 and beyond.  

• If you are a French speaker considering coming to Canada, it’s important to be realistic about what life in Canada will be like outside of Quebec. There are vibrant communities, however, you will be speaking a minority language and there will be challenges that come with that.  

• You can read the press release covering the announcement here, or watch the media appearance (mostly in French) below.