Ottawa ‘exceeds’ its target for French-speaking immigration outside Quebec

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Diab rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press)

The federal government is pleased to have “exceeded” its target for French-speaking immigration outside Quebec for the fourth consecutive year.

“Francophone immigration allows us to attract skilled talent to meet specific needs in our public services, our businesses and throughout the regions,” said Iresidents at a news conference in Moncton, New Brunswick.

For years, Ottawa struggled to meet its commitments on Francophone immigration.

In 2025, 8.9 per cent of new permanent residents granted in Canada went to Francophone immigrants outside Quebec.

The federal government promises, in the longer term, to reach a proportion of 12 per cent by 2029.

“As part of the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, we will continue to increase our targets for French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec, bringing them to nine per cent in 2026, 9.5 per cent in 2027 and 10.5 per cent in 2028,” Ottawa said in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Jan. 19, 2026.