Canada and Manitoba are joining forces to give new impetus to Francophone immigration

July 6, 2026, Winnipeg – Canada is committed to supporting Francophone immigration and is focused on attracting and retaining the world’s best talent. As Francophone minority communities face significant demographic and economic challenges, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are joining forces to strengthen official language minority communities by addressing their labour needs and fostering their economic and linguistic vitality.

Today, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced an investment of approximately $1.3 million to supporta new project Funded under the Francophone Immigration Support Program, this project aims to increase Manitoba’s Francophone population through innovative promotional measures, cutting-edge digital solutions, targeted research, and enhanced support for skills recognition. These measures streamline the immigration process for Francophone and bilingual applicants who meet labour market needs.

The project will be implemented jointly with the Economic Development Council of Bilingual Municipalities of Manitoba, the province’s Francophone economic development agency.

To learn more about the project, please consult the information document .

The Minister also announced that the Pilot Program for Students in Francophone Minority Communities (PPECFSM) will be extended for an additional year, until August 2027. Thanks to this extension, Canada will continue to attract French-speaking international students who contribute to the vitality of Francophone minority communities and to the growth of the Canadian economy, and to encourage the retention of these individuals.

Together, this investment, the extension of the pilot program, and the continued collaboration between the governments of Canada and Manitoba will help grow Manitoba’s economy by addressing labour needs through Francophone immigration, while strengthening the vitality and sustainability of Francophone minority communities.

Citations

“ This announcement, made in conjunction with the Government of Manitoba, marks an important step in supporting Francophone immigration. It strengthens the economic and demographic growth of Francophone minority communities and addresses labour market needs. It is a concrete action to ensure the vitality and sustainability of Franco-Manitoban communities and a further step towards achieving the Government of Canada’s ambitious Francophone immigration objective.”

– The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

“ Francophone minority communities across the country are an integral part of Canada ’s national identity. Here in Manitoba, the federal government is proud to support them by welcoming Francophone students and newcomers, who make such an important contribution to our local, regional, and national culture and economies.”

– Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and Member of Parliament for Saint-Boniface-Saint-Vital, Manitoba

Facts in brief

The Government of Canada is investing $25 million over 5 years in the Francophone Immigration Innovation Centre, as part of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023-2028.
To date, 20 projects have received funding totaling approximately $15.7 million to increase admissions of Francophone and bilingual talent and support Francophone minority communities.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s continued commitment to Francophone immigration is evident in several successes over the past year, including achieving 8.9% of admissions of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2025.
The International Student Program for Francophone Minority Communities ( ISSMPC) aims to support Francophone minority communities while strengthening the diversity of the International Student Program (ISSP). This pilot program facilitates access to the ISSP for Francophone students from regions of the world with historically high study permit refusal rates. Applicants to a participating designated learning institution may be selected under the pilot program, receive settlement and integration services during their studies, and apply for permanent residence after graduating from an eligible program. Immediate family members of ISMPC participants may accompany them to Canada.
To date, 515 Francophone students and 150 accompanying family members have arrived in Canada through the PPECFSM program. The first PPECFSM participants could graduate and apply for permanent residence as early as 2027.

Related product