Canada plans to grow its support for French-speaking newcomers by expanding the Welcoming Francophone Communities program in 2025–2026.
French-speaking newcomers to Canada will soon receive more help settling in. From 2025 to 2026, the government will expand its Welcoming Francophone Communities (WFCs) program. This project will involve 24 communities across the country. It will offer support and services to help immigrants adjust to life in Canada.
The WFCs program started in 2020 as a test run. That pilot ended in March 2024. Based on its success, the government has decided to expand and improve it.
What is the WFCs Program?
The WFCs program is a big part of Canada's plan for Francophone immigration. It helps French-speaking immigrants feel at home and become part of their local communities. The goal is to connect newcomers with others, offer settlement support, and make them feel welcome.
What makes this program special is its “by and for francophones” approach. This means local French-speaking groups help choose the communities that take part. These groups work closely with the government to make the program work smoothly.
The main partners in this project include:
This team effort ensures that newcomers get help that fits their needs. Most of the support will go to permanent residents, but students and workers may also benefit. The government will share more details about who qualifies closer to the launch.
List of Communities Involved
The 24 communities chosen for this program are spread across Canada:
Alberta: Calgary
British Columbia: Nanaimo, Prince George
Manitoba: Red River area, Seine River region
New Brunswick: Belle-Baie, Caraquet, Haut Saint-Jean, Restigouche West
Newfoundland and Labrador: Labrador City–Wabush
Nova Scotia: Chéticamp, Clare
Ontario: Cochrane District, Cornwall, Hamilton, Hawkesbury, London, Sudbury
Prince Edward Island: Évangéline region
Saskatchewan: Moose Jaw, Gravelbourg, Prince Albert
Northwest Territories: Yellowknife
Yukon: Whitehorse
Nunavut: Iqaluit
A Push for More Francophone Immigration
Canada is working to bring in more French-speaking immigrants each year. The target is 7% of all immigrants in 2025, rising to 8% in 2026. A long-term goal is to reach 12% by 2029, which would mean about 47,400 new Francophone immigrants yearly.
How the Earlier Program Worked
From 2020 to 2024, the WFCs ran as a trial. It focused on 14 smaller French-speaking communities. These places got federal funds to help newcomers feel at home. Community groups created local plans that included:
This model gave useful insights. It showed what helps French-speaking immigrants settle well. The success of the pilot inspired the upcoming expansion.
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