Federal Francophone Immigration Policy Requirement

Summary#

On January 1, 2024, the government brought section 23 of An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages into force. That section requires the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to adopt a federal policy on francophone immigration to help strengthen French-language minority communities.

What it does#

• Amends the Official Languages Act by adding section 44.1, which creates a formal requirement for a federal policy on francophone immigration.
• Requires the policy to aim at enhancing the vitality of French linguistic minority communities and at restoring or increasing their demographic weight (the Act links this goal to the 6.1% figure from 1971).
• Says the policy must include:
  • objectives, targets and indicators;
  • mechanisms for information sharing and for reporting;
  • a statement that the Government recognizes immigration helps maintain or increase the demographic weight of French linguistic minority communities; and
  • a statement recognizing the importance of francophone immigration to economic development.
• Notes that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will apply an intersectional GBA+ approach when developing related programs and services.

Who's affected#

• Francophone minority communities across Canada — the policy is aimed at supporting their vitality and growth.
• People who immigrate to Canada and identify as francophone, and organizations that help them settle (settlement agencies, schools, employers).
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial/territorial ministries that work on immigration policy and delivery.
• It’s unclear from the order how fast or how large any changes will be; the order only fixes the date the requirement takes effect.

Why it matters#

• The change creates a formal, government-wide expectation that francophone immigration will be planned with clear goals, targets and reporting. That can lead to more coordinated programs and public information.
• For francophone minority communities, it could mean more attention, resources, and activity aimed at attracting and supporting francophone newcomers.
• For newcomers, it could affect the kinds of settlement services and supports available if programs are reoriented to meet francophone targets.
• The order itself is a technical step bringing this duty into force; the real effects will depend on the content of the policy that the Minister and IRCC develop and put into practice.