The Centre for Innovation in Francophone Immigration (CIFI) aims to integrate Francophone perspectives into immigration programs in Canada. It promotes immigration to French-speaking employers, facilitates access to programs and supports the growth of Francophone minority communities (FMCs). The CIFI supports innovative projects to reduce obstacles to immigration and offers funding to improve the promotion of FMCs internationally, the recruitment and the selection of French-speaking candidates and their support towards permanent residence. In addition, the CIFI supports projects that facilitate the collection of evidence and the implementation of research that highlights lessons learned and promising practices that can contribute to concrete solutions for an improved immigration pathway.
The Francophone Immigration Support Program (FISP), managed by the CIFI, provides grants and contributions to support innovative projects that aim to increase the admissions of French-speaking candidates and promote demographic growth and the economic growth of FMCs.
Here is one new project that support the promotion of Francophone minority communities, the recruitment and selection of French-speaking candidates, and the support of candidates on their journey towards permanent residence.
Increase and improve Francophone immigration to Manitoba
This project aims to increase Manitoba's Francophone population through innovative measures that streamline the immigration process for Francophone or bilingual candidates best suited to the province's labour market needs.
The project includes the following:
- activities to promote Manitoba's Francophone and bilingual communities abroad to attract more qualified candidates;
- innovative digital solutions to improve the efficiency and user-friendliness of the immigration and labour market integration processes;
- support for the recognition of the credentials of French-speaking health professionals trained abroad;
- research designed to better understand the challenges faced by Francophone temporary residents in Manitoba and to identify additional solutions.
The project is being implemented jointly with the Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities, the province's Francophone economic development agency. The amount allocated for this project is $1,300,000 over two years.
Here are the three projects announced in March 2026.
Global mapping of Francophone talent
The Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) is leading a project to identify pools of bilingual Information and Communication Technology (ICT) talent around the world and to propose strategies to attract these workers to Canada. This initiative helps to meet the growing need for a bilingual workforce in the ICT sector and to support the country's linguistic duality.
In collaboration with IRCC, industry partners and Francophone stakeholders, ICTC is analyzing global trends and assessing the needs of the Canadian market, and will recommend effective recruitment approaches. The work includes identifying regions with large pools of bilingual talent and analyzing the ICT occupations most likely to require these skills in the coming years. The amount allocated for this project is $160,000 over two years.
Pathway to permanent residence for Université de Hearst students
This project aims to support Université de Hearst international students and graduates who wish to settle in Canada. It offers a voluntary program integrated into the university curriculum, structured around a set of activities to make available clear and adapted information on Francophone immigration pathways and the steps leading to permanent residence.
The program combines information activities, practical support for the transition to the labour market, personalized support based on each person's objectives, as well as integration opportunities such as internships, mentoring or volunteering. By facilitating access to reliable resources and concrete experiences, the project contributes to strengthening the retention of Francophone talent in Northern Ontario. The amount allocated for this project is $1,100,000 over three years.
Informing and preparing future Francophone immigrants
The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada is leading an international campaign to inform French speakers about opportunities for French-language immigration and settlement in Canada outside Quebec. The project highlights the vitality of the Francophone and Acadian communities and provides reliable information to counter misinformation.
The campaign combines webinars, a refreshed digital presence and accessible video content, including explanatory capsules and immersive miniseries presenting the daily lives of immigrants. Based on an inclusive approach developed "by, for and with" the communities concerned, the initiative relies on authentic testimonies to help future immigrants imagine living their own lives in Canada in French, promote bilingualism and clearly understand the challenges and opportunities of immigration. The amount allocated for his project is $300,000 over three years.
Here are the four projects announced in November 2025.
Community of Practice on International Students in Minority Francophone Postsecondary Institutions
The Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) is leading a project to support Francophone colleges and universities outside Quebec. This initiative aims to improve collaboration between education and immigration partners by creating a community of practice. The goal is to better understand the experiences of international students and help them smoothly transition to permanent residency in Canada. The ACUFC will also update a study called "International Students: A Pillar of Economic Immigration" to increase access to evidence-based data, and to better highlight the challenges Francophone international students face. In addition, the ACUFC is also planning to produce a series of short videos featuring testimonials from students who have successfully immigrated to Canada. The amount allocated for this project is $658,000 over four years.
Supporting and Integrating International Students at Université Sainte-Anne
Université Sainte-Anne is implementing a project to support 45 international students studying at their Pointe-de-l'Église and Halifax campuses as they navigate through their immigration journey. Depending on their interests, students will be invited to join activities and events organized with local community partners. They will also have access to opportunities such as mentoring, volunteering, internships, and part-time jobs while studying. This project aims to build strong, lasting connections between students and local communities, while also helping to revitalize minority Francophone communities in Nova Scotia. The amount allocated for this project is $590,000 over three years.
Attracting International Talent in Eastern Ontario
The Centre de services à l'emploi de Prescott-Russell (CESPR) is piloting a project to attract qualified Francophone candidates to meet the labour needs of rural communities in Eastern Ontario. CESPR will support local small- and medium-sized businesses in the region in their international recruitment efforts. The initiative plans to find employment for 80 qualified French-speaking candidates. The overall objective is to support the economic development of Eastern Ontario by encouraging targeted Francophone immigration. The amount allocated for this project is $1,200,000 over three years.
Pilot Project: Strengthening the Capacity of Nurses Trained Outside Canada
The Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour is leading a project to recruit Francophone and bilingual nursing staff to address nursing shortages in the province's healthcare system. This project targets Moroccan professionals trained outside of Canada, leveraging the fact that their nursing education is comparable to that of New Brunswick. Anchored in ethical recruitment practices, this project aims to attract and retain nursing staff by providing support to strengthen their skills and knowledge, assisting with the recognition of their professional qualifications, and helping them gain permanent residence. The amount allocated for this project is $1,234,400 over three years.
Here are the twelve projects, announced in March 2025.
Salon Afrique-Canada Immigration et Investissement
In October 2024, Akwaba Community held the Salon Afrique-Canada Immigration et Investissement in Douala, Cameroon, attracting over 3,500 participants over a 3-day period. This annual event showcased Francophone minority communities and promoted immigration and investment opportunities between Sub-Saharan Africa and Ontario, focusing on labour needs in various sectors. This initiative is the result of close collaboration with members of the Réseau en immigration francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario and the Government of Ontario. The amount allocated for this project is $214,000 over one year.
The Observatoire en immigration francophone au Canada
The Université de l'Ontario français manages the Observatoire en immigration francophone, an interdisciplinary hub that collects and disseminates knowledge on Francophone immigration in a minority context. Relying on evidence-based data, the Observatoire helps decision-makers by identifying challenges and solutions to promote more inclusive Francophone immigration. It produces analytical tools and shares promising practices to guide interventions in Francophone immigration. The amount allocated for this project is $1,573,000 over four years.
Addressing the labour shortage in Northern Ontario with refugees and skilled workers
The Société économique de l'Ontario leads a project to place approximately 90 qualified Francophone candidates and their families in jobs aligned with Northern Ontario' labour needs. This project is carried out in collaboration with employers who participate in the integration of these talents in priority sectors. This project contributes to the demographic weight of Francophone minority communities in rural areas and in Northern Ontario. The amount allocated for this project is $909,000 over three years.
Nouvel élan: The employability sector and Destination Canada Mobility Forum
The Réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité Canada supports the recruitment of qualified Francophone talent through Destination Canada Mobility Forum. Representing over 280 employers, the Réseau's members participate to in-person and virtual events reaching over 7,000 candidates. The goal is to meet labour needs through French-speaking candidates, promote economic growth, and strengthen the vitality of small rural communities. The amount allocated for this project is $836,000 over two years.
Study On the Removal of Systemic Barriers for Francophone Visible Minority Immigrants to Access the Teaching Profession in Alberta
Campus Saint-Jean is conducting a study on the impact of intersectional factors related to the Francophone student population from visible minorities in accessing the teaching profession. The aim is to reduce systemic barriers and improve the representation of French-speaking immigrants in the teaching field in Alberta. The project seeks to identify strategies and develop policies to support the professional integration of these individuals and facilitate their selection in permanent residence programs. The amount allocated for this project is $210,000 over three years.
Promotion and recruitment of internationally trained French-speaking teachers and educators
The Government of New Brunswick's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is implementing a project to recruit teachers and early childhood educators to meet the province's workforce needs. This project includes research on the recruitment and retention of immigrant professionals, the development of a targeted promotion strategy, and credential recognition. The aim is to support a total of 600 French-speaking candidates in these sectors. The amount allocated for this project is $1,972,000 over four years.
Launch of a navigator service for Francophone students at Campus Saint-Jean
The Campus Saint-Jean is launching a project to become a hub for Francophone immigration in Western Canada. By improving the reception and support for the Francophone international student population, Campus Saint-Jean will strengthen the vitality of the Francophone community in Alberta. The project aims to improve Campus Saint-Jean's capacity to process applications from French-speaking students and to assist them in their transition to permanent residence in Canada. The amount allocated for this project is $1,580,000 over four years.
Horizon British Columbia
The Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique manages a project which aims to address labour needs in various economic sectors across the province. Key stakeholders, including the Government of British Columbia, will form a working committee dedicated to increasing Francophone immigration. This project includes a study on Francophone pools and matching activities between employers and candidates. Ultimately, the project will assist 180 French-speaking candidates in aligning their skills with local employer needs. The amount allocated for this project is $790,000 over three years.
Study of recognition of international Francophone diplomas in early childhood education to work in a minority context in Canada
The Commission national des parents francophones is conducting a study to facilitate the recruitment of qualified early childhood education talents in Francophone communities outside Quebec. The findings will help create an official guide for employers, enabling them to evaluate international graduates before hiring processes with IRCC programs. This project aims to attract and integrate competent professionals, while enhancing access to French-language daycare services. The amount allocated for this project is $592,000 over three years.
Promotional Strategy for Francophone Immigration in Northern Ontario
The Réseau du Nord, through the Carrefour francophone de Sudbury, has developed a promotional strategy aimed at making Northern Ontario a destination of choice for Francophone immigration candidates. The deliverables of this project include, among other things, a baseline, consultations with stakeholders, the development of a visual identity and a concerted promotional strategy. The strategy will provide a clear vision of the actions to be taken during the 2025-2030 period to attract more French-speaking candidates and thus support the vitality and economic development of Francophone communities in Northern Ontario. The amount allocated for this project is $63,000 over one year.
Francophone Immigrant Workforce in Early Childhood - Identification and Selection
The Association francophone à l'éducation des services à l'enfance en Ontario is recruiting 100 internationally trained Francophone candidates to meet the labour needs in Ontario's early childhood sector. This project is structured around three main activities: an innovative recruitment process, the organization of two international recruitment missions, and the implementation of a professional support program prior to candidates' arrival, aimed at facilitating their professional integration. The project aims to improve access to French-language childcare services and promote the retention of workers in Francophone minority communities.
Beyond Ontario, this project will have a direct impact on the growth of French-language childcare, with positive spin-offs in British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Yukon. The amount allocated for this project is $525,000 over four years
Development Phase - Job Fairs: Vivre en Acadie
The Société Nationale de l'Acadie, supported by members of the Comité atlantique en immigration francophone, is planning to organize job fairs to meet the labour needs of the four Atlantic provinces through the recruitment of French-speaking candidates. The development phase involves undertaking a study of the most relevant talent pools for priority economic sectors in Atlantic Canada (health, technology, construction, education, tourism) and the development of a concerted implementation plan for job fairs. The amount allocated for this project is $61,000 over two years.
