To address the drop in the number of French-speaking Canadians, IRCC declared that by 2023 4.4% of the immigrants outside Quebec will be Francophone. In their “Meeting our Objectives: Francophone Immigration Strategy” this goal was set so that immigration does not impact the Francophone culture of the provinces. Recently, on January 23rd, Sean Fraser, the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Canada has achieved its set goal of 4.4% Francophone immigrants in 2022.
The number of Francophone immigrants has not been this high since 2006 when the total Francophone immigrant population outside Quebec was 1.38%. On the other hand, in 2022 only, more than 16,300 newcomers settled in the French-speaking areas outside Quebec, recording an all-time high. In the last 5 years, the French-speaking immigrant population has provided 42,470 permanent residents, demonstrating a bright future for the francophone culture in the country.
Miserable State of Immigrants in Quebec Farms
To continue with this rise, the government of Canada plans to endorse Francophone immigration in the country. In the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023, the government has declared a $40.7 million fund to follow and innovate Francophone immigration programs.