Canada invests in new initiatives to promote Francophone immigration outside Quebec

Current rules

The 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan sets permanent resident admissions at 380,000 annually from 2026 to 2028. Temporary resident arrival targets are set at 385,000 for 2026, and 370,000 for 2027 and 2028, with a goal to reduce Canada's temporary population to less than 5% of the total population by the end of 2027. Economic category admissions will constitute 64% by 2027 and 2028. The target for Francophone admissions destined for outside Quebec is increased to 10.5% by 2028, supporting a broader goal of 12% by 2029. Family class admissions remain stable at 21.3-22.1%. Refugee and Protected Persons admissions account for 13% of overall admissions. Additionally, one-time initiatives will transition approximately 115,000 Protected Persons in Canada and up to 33,000 temporary workers to permanent residency in 2026 and 2027, beyond the overall permanent resident targets.

Overview

Canada is investing approximately $1.5 million in three new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program, alongside additional funding for the Université de l’Ontario français. These initiatives, announced on 20 March 2026, are designed to boost Francophone immigration and support French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec by attracting skilled French-speaking and bilingual immigrants, addressing labour needs, and fostering economic development.

What changed in the latest version

This plan shows that Canada is changing its immigration system. It aims for 'sustainable immigration levels' by bringing in fewer temporary residents. At the same time, it keeps the number of permanent residents stable. The plan focuses on economic immigration. It sets aside 64% of admissions for this group by 2027 and 2028. This will help address labour shortages and attract skilled people from around the world. The greater focus on French-speaking immigration outside Quebec aims to make these communities stronger. Also, the special, one-time programmes for Protected Persons and some temporary workers give them a direct path to permanent residency. These people are already in Canada. This will help them settle faster and meets humanitarian promises.

Explained simply

Imagine Canada as a house with a certain number of rooms. This plan decides how many new permanent residents (people who live here for good) and temporary residents (people visiting or working for a while) can move in each year. For permanent residents, the number will stay steady at 380,000 for 2026, 2027, and 2028. For temporary residents, like international students or temporary workers, Canada is actually planning to let fewer new people in each year, reducing the numbers from 385,000 in 2026 to 370,000 in 2027 and 2028. This is to make sure the 'house' isn't too crowded, with the goal of having fewer than 5% of the total population being temporary residents by the end of 2027. The plan also includes special ways for people already here as protected persons or skilled temporary workers to become permanent residents faster.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v2Effective 1 Jan 2026PublishedHigh impact
   Canada Stabilizes Permanent Resident Admissions and Decreases Temporary Resident Targets in 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan

   Canada has released its Immigration Levels Plan for 2026-2028. This plan keeps the total number of people allowed to become permanent residents stable at 380,000 each year for 2026, 2027, and 2028. At the same time, the plan sets new goals for how many temporary residents can arrive. It aims for 385,000 new temporary residents in 2026, then 370,000 in 2027 and 2028. The plan also states a goal to make sure that temporary residents are less than 5% of Canada's total population by the end of 2027. The plan greatly increases the goal for French-speaking people who want to become permanent residents outside Quebec. This goal is 10.5% by 2028, and aims for 12% by 2029. In addition, there are special, one-time programmes to help certain people become permanent residents faster. These programmes are for about 115,000 Protected Persons and up to 33,000 temporary workers. These programmes will run in 2026-2027 and are separate from the main permanent resident goals.

2. v1Effective 20 Mar 2026AnnouncementMedium impact
   Canada invests in new initiatives to promote Francophone immigration outside Quebec

   Canada will invest about $1.5 million in three projects. These projects are part of the Francophone Immigration Support Program. Canada will also provide up to $575,000 over three years to Université de l’Ontario français. These funds were announced on 20 March 2026. The money will help more French-speaking people work in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. It will also attract and keep French-speaking talent in Northern Ontario. It will tell French-speaking candidates about jobs and other chances outside Quebec. The funds will also help create a short training course on managing immigration for French-speaking people. This new investment builds on past efforts. These include a C$1.3 million investment with Manitoba to increase its French-speaking population. It also includes the longer timeline for the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.

Timeline

1. Announced

   20 Mar 2026

   Canada is investing approximately $1.5 million in three new projects under the Francophone Immigration Support Program, alongside additional funding for the Université de l’Ontario français. These initiatives, announced on 20 March 2026, are designed to boost Francophone immigration and support French-speaking minority communities outside Quebec by attracting skilled French-speaking and bilingual