IRCC Highlights Kelowna Jobs Under Francophone PR Pathway Plan

The city of Kelowna in British Columbia has released a new list of priority sectors and occupations for 2026 under the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP). The program aims to attract French-speaking workers to communities outside Quebec that need skilled labour.

Kelowna has added one new sector and several new occupations this year. Local officials say the updated list reflects the city’s labour needs and aims to support economic growth in the Okanagan Valley.

To qualify for permanent residence through the FCIP, applicants must demonstrate French language ability and secure a job offer from an employer approved by the community.

Priority Sectors for 2026

Kelowna has identified six main sectors that will receive priority under the immigration pilot this year. These sectors remain open for employer recommendations.

The sectors include sales and service, trades and transportation jobs, education and community services, health care, natural and applied sciences, and business, finance and administration.

Most of these sectors appeared on the city’s priority list in 2025. However, the business, finance and administration sector has joined the list for the first time this year.

Officials have also placed limits on the number of recommendations available in some sectors. The sales and service sector will receive no more than ten recommendation certificates, with only two allowed for each job classification code. The trades sector will allow a maximum of three recommendations for each occupation.

In-Demand Occupations

Kelowna has also identified 25 occupations that employers may use when recommending candidates for the program.

These roles include accounting technicians, administrative officers, automotive mechanics, bakers, cabinetmakers, carpenters, cooks, electricians, hotel front desk clerks, and social service workers.

Other priority jobs include nurse aides, home support workers, medical laboratory assistants, teacher assistants, and forestry technicians.

Several construction trades have also appeared on the list, including roofers, painters, drywall installers, and plasterers.

The city notes that eight of the occupations represent new additions to the priority list this year.

Wages for these roles generally range between $21 and $28 per hour, depending on the position.

Currently, 40 employers have received approval to participate in the program. However, many of them have not yet started hiring.

Officials also clarified that certain businesses cannot participate in the program. Fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops, and cannabis stores do not qualify for the FCIP.

Intake Periods for Applications

Kelowna will accept candidate recommendations during seven intake periods in 2026.

Each intake will open from the 15th to the 30th of the month, beginning in June. During these periods, designated employers may submit applications recommending candidates for the program.

Each employer may submit up to three recommendations during an intake.

At the moment, only a few recommendation spots remain for certain occupations. Corporate sales managers currently have one recommendation slot available, while bakers, cleaning supervisors, cooks, and hotel front desk clerks each have two remaining.

About the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot

The federal government launched the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot in 2025 as a five-year program. The initiative encourages French-speaking immigrants to settle in communities outside Quebec that want to grow their francophone population.

Applicants must meet several requirements. Candidates must demonstrate French language ability at level five on the Canadian language scale and receive a job offer from an employer approved by the community.

Applicants must also have at least one year of relevant work experience within the past three years and hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma. They must also show enough savings to support themselves and their families when they arrive in Canada.

Workers already employed in Canada with a valid work permit do not need to meet the settlement funds requirement.

Once a community approves a recommendation, the candidate may apply to the federal government for permanent residence.

In some cases, applicants may also receive a special two-year work permit that allows them to start working while their permanent residence application moves through processing.

Supporting Local Growth

Local leaders believe the program will help fill labour shortages while supporting Kelowna’s economic development.

By targeting French-speaking professionals in key industries, the city hopes to strengthen both its workforce and its francophone community.