OTTAWA, June 11, 2018 /CNW/ - The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship was joined today by Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, at a round table with Francophone organizations and related partners where he announced the creation of a new Francophone Immigration Policy Hub.
The Hub will ensure a more coordinated approach on Francophone immigration policy. This will enhance collaboration between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the provinces and territories in the context of the recently announced Federal/Provincial/Territorial Action Plan for Increasing Francophone Immigration Outside of Quebec.
The Hub is also working to finalize by autumn 2018 a departmental strategy to reach Francophone immigration objectives. Stakeholders will be able to contribute directly to the Policy Hub by submitting their ideas on ways to improve Francophone immigration outside of Quebec.
As part of this strategy, the Government of Canada will continue its international promotion, communication and recruitment efforts to leverage governmental, non-governmental and employment-related partners in support of attracting, integrating and retaining French-speaking newcomers.
This initiative is supported by the March 2018 announcement by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, of the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future, which will increase investments by $40.8 million over 5 years to support a consolidated Francophone integration pathway and coordinated Francophone immigration policies and programs. This includes actions such as the creation of the Francophone Immigration Policy Hub.
Quotes
"The Department is committed to working in collaboration with Francophone organizations and institutions to ensure that our immigration strategy reflects the needs of Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec. The Policy Hub is a key partner in a continued and sustained progress of that goal".
– The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
"Through partnerships with communities, IRCC will be able to identify and implement projects, by and for Francophones, and develop innovative solutions adapted to the specific needs of the French-speaking newcomers settling in their communities".
– Serge Cormier, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Quick facts
- The Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023 will add $499.2 million over 5 years to the ongoing $2.2 billion to set the course for stronger, more vibrant communities across Canada.
- The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the vitality of Francophone minority communities and increasing the proportion of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec, working towards a target of 4.4% of all immigrants by 2023.
- In April 2018, an Annex to the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement was signed by Minister Hussen and Ontario to help identify opportunities for increasing the number of French-speaking immigrants coming to Canada and Ontario.
- In June 2017, the Government of Canada announced additional points under Express Entry to increase the chances of candidates with strong proficiency in French being invited to apply to come to Canada through economic programs.
- In 2016, the Mobilité Francophone stream was reintroduced, which helps employers hire French-speaking workers from abroad to undertake high-skilled work outside of Quebec. Under certain conditions, the Labour Market Impact Assessment exemption of Mobilité Francophone stream can be used to support a permanent job offer under Express Entry.
Associated links
- Action Plan for Official Languages – 2018-2023: Investing in Our Future
- Francophone Immigration
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SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Contacts for media only, Mathieu Genest, Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-954-1064; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]
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