The government of Canada has announced a new stream within the International Mobility Program that aims to attract skilled international French speakers to regions outside the province of Quebec.

The Mobilité Francophone stream, which will come into operation on June 1, 2016, will exempt Canadian employers from the Labour Market Impact Assessment process when they hire francophone workers in managerial, professional and technical/skilled trades occupations (NOC skill level 0, A or B) from abroad to work in francophone minority communities outside Quebec.

In a statement, Canada's Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, John McCallum, made it clear that the government has a long-term vision for these newcomers, with permanent residence the ultimate goal.

"We want francophone minority communities in Canada to continue to be vibrant and growing, That’s why we’re going to encourage skilled francophone workers to come to Canada and settle in communities outside of Quebec, and we’re going to encourage them to apply for permanent residence if they would like to stay," said Mr. McCallum.

Heritage Minister Melanie Joly, herself a francophone, added that “Canada’s diversity is enriched by our francophone minority communities all across the country. We want to see these communities flourish across Canada and immigration is strategic to preserving their vitality and prosperity.”

The department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC, formerly known as CIC) aims to have francophone newcomers make up at least 4 percent of all economic immigrants settling outside Quebec by 2018, with an additional target of 4.4 percent by 2023.

To learn more about the International Mobility Program, send an inquiry to wp@canadavisa.com. Please include any relevant information about a job offer you may have and information about your French language ability.