Coming to Canada: Immigration opportunities in Manitoba as a Francophone candidate:
In 2019, the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (“IRCC“) announced its strategy to achieve a goal of 4.4% French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec by 2023. This strategy recognizes that immigration is essential to the vitality of Francophone minority communities. It also seeks to implement measures to help achieve this objective.
Francophone immigration contributes not only to Canada’s demographic growth, cultural richness and socio-economic development but also to the vitality of Francophone minority communities. The number of Francophone immigrants to Manitoba is on the rise. But is still far from the targets set by the federal and provincial governments.
Therefore, the Canadian government offers economic immigrants, as well as French-speaking foreign nationals, multiple options to come to Manitoba on a temporary or permanent basis.
On June 1, 2016, the Government of Canada launched the Mobilité francophone program.
This program aims to facilitate the recruitment of skilled Francophone and bilingual workers. If you intend to settle and work in a Francophone community outside of Quebec, under this program, your employer may be exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Under the Mobilité francophone, French-speaking foreign nationals obtain Canadian work experience. This can help them obtain permanent residency later on.
Furthermore, if you wish to stay permanently in Canada, French-speaking applicants can obtain additional points under the Express Entry immigration system. They can apply for permanent residence through three main immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program; the Federal Skilled Trades Program; and the Canadian Experience Class.
In addition to the Express Entry system, Canada has a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Provincial governments in Canada manage their immigration programs to recruit their own Francophone skilled workers. Most of these provinces operate by inviting candidates directly from the Express Entry pool. Others require that an expression of interest be submitted to the provincial nominee pool.
In sum, the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) is a program for economic immigration. The objective of the program is to recruit skilled workers from Manitoba or abroad who want to settle and establish their work and family life in Manitoba as permanent residents. Furthermore, there are multiple immigration pathways for Francophones through this program. Foreign Skilled Worker, Manitoba Skilled Worker, Business Investor and International Education. A Manitoba connection is required to be eligible for the Manitoba Nominee Program (MPNP) and to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the program.
These options demonstrate Canada’s commitment to the vitality, development and prosperity of Francophone communities. If you have any questions regarding Francophone immigration programs in Manitoba, please do not hesitate to contact our office. We will be happy to assist you with any immigration questions.
By: Chloe Freynet-Gagne