More PR spots for French-speaking immigrants
More Permanent Residence (PR) Spots for French-Speaking Immigrants — Key Highlights
📌 5,000 new PR spaces reserved for French speakers
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Starting in 2026, Canada is allocating 5,000 additional permanent-resident “selection spaces” specifically for French-speaking immigrants.
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These are above regular quotas and provincial nominee program (PNP) allocations, giving provinces and territories extra capacity to nominate French-proficient candidates for PR.
📌 Rising targets for admissions outside Quebec
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Under the 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan, Canada set specific targets for the share of French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec:
• ~9% in 2026
• 9.5% in 2027
• 10.5% in 2028 -
These percentages represent the proportion of PR admissions outside Quebec that should be French-speaking — up from past years.
📌 Focus beyond Express Entry
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The additional PR spaces can be used by provinces through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and regional immigration pilots — not just federal Express Entry. This broadens opportunities for French-speaking candidates across more pathways.
📌 Increased invitations for French speakers in Express Entry draws
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Canada held large Express Entry draws targeting French language proficiency, such as one in February 2026 where about 8,500 French-speaking candidates got invitations to apply (ITAs).
📌 Part of a long-term strategy
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These measures are part of a plan to eventually reach up to 12% French-speaking permanent residents outside Quebec by 2029, strengthening bilingualism and filling labour shortages in Francophone communities.
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