Canada, the beautiful country renowned for its multicultural harmony, extending a welcoming hand to the Francophone population – those who speak French, from all over the globe. The news on the horizon is that Canada, aiming to boost Francophone immigration, has decided to broaden the scope of the Francophone Mobility Program. Now, if you’re wondering what’s so exciting about this news, let’s delve a little deeper to understand.
The Canadian government, always at the forefront of innovative approaches to immigration, recognizes the value of French-speaking immigrants to the nation’s social fabric. It appreciates how these newcomers add to the vitality of minority communities and foster population growth. This commitment to growth is clear in the recent expansion of the Francophone Mobility Program.
Under the previous version of the Francophone Mobility Program, a Canadian employer could only offer a job to a highly skilled French-speaking temporary foreign worker. But now, the rules have been rewritten to allow an employer to offer a job to any eligible candidate with moderate French language skills, with the only exception being jobs in primary agriculture. The good news doesn’t stop there – the expanded program will also provide these immigrants with a chance to gain Canadian work experience, and they could even qualify for permanent residence.
Key facts:
- The Francophone Mobility Program was launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in 2016.
- The program was initially designed to help employers recruit highly skilled French-speaking temporary foreign workers from Francophone communities outside Quebec.
- An employer can now offer a job to any eligible candidate with a moderate level of French language proficiency, except in the area of primary agriculture.
- This program expansion enables more French-speaking immigrants to gain Canadian work experience and potentially qualify for permanent residence.
- The French language proficiency criteria require moderate language proficiency of French for oral comprehension and oral expression.
- Applicants must provide proof of meeting these language requirements, such as through a French evaluation test, a French degree or diploma, or documentation confirming studies at a French-language institution.
- This expansion is part of the Canadian government’s commitment to fostering population growth, economic prosperity, and the vitality of Francophone minority communities.
- The Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption from the Francophone Mobility Program makes it easier for employers to hire skilled French-speaking temporary foreign workers.
- The program also helps French-speaking temporary foreign workers qualify for permanent resident programs and increases the likelihood that they will be invited to apply for permanent residence if they have submitted a profile in the Express Entry system.
- From June 2016 to December 2020, 1,080 out of 5,700 temporary work permit holders transitioned to permanent residence.
- In 2019, IRCC issued 1,900 work permits (including extensions) under this program, and these volumes remained the same in 2020 and 2021.
- Nearly 2/3 of applicants to the Francophone Mobility Program work in professional sectors that require post-secondary college or apprenticeship training from six months to two years.
However, there are certain criteria that all foreign nationals applying for a work permit under the Francophone Mobility Program must meet. They must demonstrate a moderate proficiency in the French language, especially in oral comprehension and oral expression. To prove this proficiency, candidates must provide evidence such as a French evaluation test, a degree or diploma from a French college or university, or a document confirming studies at a French-language institution.
What does this mean for Canada? The changes to the Francophone Mobility Program represent Canada’s ongoing commitment to sustaining population growth and economic prosperity. It reaffirms the country’s intention to nourish the vitality of Francophone minority communities and address labour shortages.
There is a quote from the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Honourable Sean Fraser, which puts it all into perspective. He said, “Our government is committed to increasing the presence of French-speaking immigrants from coast to coast to coast. By attracting more French-speaking individuals, we embrace a wealth of linguistic talents and cultural perspectives, and a shared heritage that enriches the cultural tapestry of our great nation.”
To give a brief history, the Francophone Mobility Program was introduced in 2016 under the International Mobility Program, with the intention of helping employers recruit highly skilled French-speaking temporary foreign workers. This program has been instrumental in filling labor gaps, especially in Francophone minority communities outside Quebec. It also assists French-speaking temporary foreign workers in qualifying for permanent resident programs and increases their chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
To understand the effectiveness of this program, consider this: Between June 2016 and December 2020, over 1,080 out of 5,700 temporary work permit holders transitioned to permanent residence. And in 2019 alone, 1,900 work permits (including extensions) were issued under this program, a number which remained consistent in 2020 and 2021.
The expansion of the Francophone Mobility Program is, therefore, a resounding statement of Canada’s embrace of diversity and commitment to fostering cultural richness through the inclusion of more Francophone immigrants. It strengthens the nation’s multicultural identity and also addresses the vital need for skilled labor. It’s a win-win for both the country and the French-speaking immigrants, creating opportunities for cultural exchange, growth, and mutual prosperity.
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