New Francophone Immigration Action Plan Launched
Today, November 7, the Province is marking National Francophone Immigration Week with the release of a new action plan to guide Nova Scotia’s French-speaking population growth.
Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population – An Action Plan for Success (2022-25) expands work to attract francophone newcomers from other countries and provinces. It includes efforts on:
- increased community and partner engagement
- promotion and attraction
- population growth programs
- retention and inclusion through settlement services
- research and evaluating programs.
“The Acadian and francophone communities have been an essential part of our province’s identity and heritage for more than 400 years,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “Our new action plan demonstrates Nova Scotia’s commitment to increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers throughout the province and ensuring they have opportunities and supports to thrive.”
The Province aims to meet or exceed the federal government’s target for French-speaking immigrants to Canada, which is 4.4 per cent. As another action toward that goal, 150 Francophone candidates in the federal Express Entry system will be invited today to apply to Nova Scotia’s Labour Market Priorities stream of the Provincial Nominee Program.
The new action plan is the result of engagement with francophone partners across Nova Scotia, including Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Université Sainte-Anne, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Nova Scotia continues to make progress in attracting French-speaking people. Since the launch of the first francophone immigration action plan in 2019, the percentage of French-speaking candidates approved through the Provincial Nominee Program grew to 6.4 per cent in 2021 from less than one per cent in 2018.
Quotes:
“Growing our francophone population in Nova Scotia presents significant cultural and economic opportunities across our province. This action plan will strengthen Acadian and francophone communities and further support the growth of the French language in our province. This is fundamental in preserving and maintaining our diverse, thriving communities.”
– Colton LeBlanc, Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie
“Attracting French-speaking immigrants and migrants to Nova Scotia is of crucial importance to the vitality of our Acadian and francophone regions and community as a whole. I am very encouraged by the leadership of the Province and the opportunity of partners, such as Université Sainte-Anne, to participate in the endeavour.”
– Allister Surette, President and Vice-Chancellor, Université Sainte-Anne
“As a francophone organization, the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial looks forward to working with the Province on this new plan. This action plan will allow us to welcome more francophone newcomers to our beautiful province and, in turn, will increase our student population, expand our qualified staff, and develop Nova Scotia's Acadian and francophone community.”
– Marcel Cottreau, President, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Quick Facts:
- National Francophone Immigration Week, from November 6 to 12, celebrates the many important contributions of French-speaking immigrants across Canada
- next week, Minister Balser will join a provincial delegation at the Destination Canada Mobility Forum in France and Morocco, where they will promote Nova Scotia to francophone skilled workers
- in December 2021, Nova Scotia surpassed a population goal of one million, with plans to reach two million by 2060
Additional Resources:
Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population – An Action Plan for Success (2022-25) is available at: https://acadien.novascotia.ca/en/reports