Canada’s National Francophone Immigration Week 2020

Linguistic duality is at the core of the Canadian society. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC], “Most Canadians agree that having 2 official languages is positive for Canada’s international image and makes Canada a more welcoming country for immigrants.”

While French is one of the leading global languages, English remains widely recognized as the lingua franca – that is, a common language wherein the speakers have different native languages – worldwide.

With French and English as the two official languages, Canada is well-positioned for attracting as well as retaining more French-speaking and bilingual immigrants.

In 2003, the first Action Plan for Official Languages was introduced by the government of Canada.

As part of the Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future, a collaboration between IRCC and various partners has helped in shaping IRCC’s vision of Francophone immigration, leading to the adoption of “a target of 4.4% of immigrants outside Quebec to be French-speaking by 2023”.

Canada’s Francophone Immigration Strategy – Objectives

Increasing Francophone immigration to 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants [outside Quebec] by 2023

Supporting the successful integration and retention of French-speaking newcomers

Strengthening the capacity of Francophone communities

Recently, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino marked the start of National Francophone Immigration Week 2020. In a statement issued from Ottawa – on November 3, 2020 – Minister Mendicino said, “National Francophone Immigration Week is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of French-speaking newcomers and dynamism of Francophone communities outside Quebec.”

Further, Minister Mendicino went on to acknowledge the contribution of French-speaking newcomers to the country by stating, “When we create welcoming and inclusive communities and provide French-speaking newcomers with support to settle in and connect to these communities, all of Canada benefits.”

As per an October 27, 2020 announcement by IRCC, “French-speaking and bilingual candidates will receive additional points under the Express Entry system”. Consequently, in the latest Express Entry Draw #166, French-speaking candidates could claim additional points.

The allocation of extra points for ability in the French language has been done for the purpose of supporting Francophone minority communities within Canada in the long term. The latest announcement by IRCC – Additional points in Express Entry to help increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec – will also be complementing other initiatives of the Department.

An opportunity for bringing together and promoting exchanges between Francophones, regardless of their origins, the National Francophone Immigration Week – Semaine nationale de l’immigration francophone – was from November 1 to 7, 2020.

Around 100 activities are held across Canada as part of the National Francophone Immigration Week.

Coordination at the national level is managed by the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities [FCFA] of Canada. At the provincial and territorial level, on the other hand, the coordination is done by the Réseaux en immigration francophone [RIF].

The 8th edition of National Francophone Immigration Week was held from November 1 to 7, 2020.

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