IRCC's November 2, 2026 statement restates the goal that 9% of new permanent residents outside Quebec be French-speaking in 2026. Nothing new was announced.
On November 2, 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab issued a statement marking the 14th National Francophone Immigration Week, themed "Finding your place within the Francophonie community." The statement restates Canada's goal that 9% of permanent residents admitted outside Quebec in 2026 be French-speaking, and says Canada is making progress toward it. These are remarks, not a rule change: no new program, funding, draw or target was announced.
What the statement says
The statement names only measures that already exist:
- The Welcoming Francophone Communities Initiative, which supports the settlement of French-speaking newcomers in minority communities.
- The Francophone Immigration Support Program.
- Express Entry, used to select qualified French-speaking candidates to meet labour market needs.
- Ongoing work with provinces, territories and community organisations to improve settlement and integration support.
What it does not say
The statement gives no figure for how close Canada is to the 9% goal, no target for 2027 or later, and no dates for upcoming French-language Express Entry rounds. The 2026 result will only be known once IRCC publishes year-end admissions data, and any later target is a matter for the next immigration levels plan.
Why French still matters for Express Entry
French-language proficiency remains one of IRCC's Express Entry selection categories. According to IRCC's category-based selection page (updated October 16, 2026), candidates need French test results of at least NCLC 7 in all four language abilities, and must also meet the minimum Express Entry criteria, including eligibility for one of the three programs it manages. Meeting the category criteria makes a profile eligible for a French-language round if one is held; it does not mean an invitation will follow.
Who this is relevant to
The statement is most useful as a reminder for:
- Express Entry candidates who speak French or are working toward NCLC 7.
- Workers considering French-speaking communities outside Quebec.
- Students weighing French-language study outside Quebec.
What to do next
Practical steps if French is part of your plan:
- Read our French-language Express Entry guide for how the category and French points work.
- Check your language levels with the CLB/NCLC calculator and your score with the CRS calculator.
- If you have a job offer outside Quebec, see our guide to Francophone Mobility work permits.
- Students can read about the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot.
Targets describe government intentions, not individual outcomes; processing times are estimates and no invitation or approval is guaranteed. The source is the Minister's November 2, 2026 statement on canada.ca.
Not sure how this applies to your situation? A licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) can review your profile with you.
