On September 29, 2026, IRCC announced about $1.2M for projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and Northern Ontario to recruit French-speaking workers.
On September 29, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced about $1.2 million for new projects that recruit French-speaking workers to communities outside Quebec. It is not a new immigration stream, and there is no new application to file. It is funding for recruitment and settlement, aimed at three regions.
The money comes from the Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration, part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028. Three projects were named:
- Newfoundland and Labrador: led by the provincial government, targeting education, health care and early childhood education. The stated goal is a "sustainable corridor" for Francophone and bilingual talent.
- Saskatchewan: led by the Conseil économique et coopératif de la Saskatchewan. It includes a mapping platform matching French-speaking candidates with employers, credential recognition support and cultural transition workshops. Target sectors are agriculture, health care, mining, energy, technology and hospitality.
- Northern Ontario: $300,000 for the second phase of Osez le Nord, a campaign run by Carrefour francophone de Sudbury promoting the region to prospective Francophone immigrants.
IRCC says the wider program has funded 23 projects, with about $19.8 million allocated over four years (2024-25 to 2027-28).
French speakers made up 8.9% of permanent resident admissions outside Quebec in 2025, and IRCC says it has met or beaten its target four years running. Moving2Canada reports the targets rise each year: 9% in 2026, 9.5% in 2027, 10.5% in 2028 and 12% by 2029.
Nothing changes in the rules today. But the direction is clear: Canada wants more French-speaking newcomers outside Quebec, and it is paying communities to find them. If you speak French, that shows up in three practical ways:
- Express Entry: French ability earns extra CRS points, and French-language category draws have historically cleared at far lower scores than general draws. See our French-language advantage guide and category-based draws explained.
- Employers: the Newfoundland and Saskatchewan projects are built to connect candidates directly with jobs in health care, education and trades. Expect job postings tied to these programs to appear over the coming months.
- Testing: a valid TEF or TCF result is what unlocks the points. Book early; see the TEF/TCF guide.
Tip
If you are already at CLB 7 in English and have even intermediate French, a French test can be worth more CRS points than months of extra work experience. Test your French before you write it off.
IRCC has not said when the projects start recruiting, how many candidates each will place, or whether any provincial nominee streams will change alongside them. We will update this page when details are published.
Check where you stand with the CRS Calculator.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.