QUESTION PERIOD — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Francophone Immigration
February 25, 2026
Senator Moreau, according to cumulative data from January to November for each of the years compared, francophone immigration to Nova Scotia fell from 795 admissions in 2022 to 350 in 2023, then to 250 in 2024 and 260 in 2025. Even when comparing equivalent periods, the decline remains significant and persistent. This represents a decrease of more than 65% in three years.
How does the government explain such a sharp decline, and does it recognize that this is jeopardizing the vitality of the province’s Acadian and francophone communities?
The government does indeed recognize that there’s been a decline in the number of francophones outside Quebec. This is one of the reasons why the Official Languages Act was recently modernized. You were here when we welcomed the new Commissioner of Official Languages.
The act provides for a clear government-wide commitment to restore and increase the demographic weight of francophones outside Quebec. More specifically, it requires Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to implement a specific policy on francophone immigration to support the growth and development of these communities across the country.
The government remains committed to protecting and strengthening francophone minority communities across Canada, including in your region, senator.
Senator Moreau, I’m very concerned about this issue since I live in the francophone minority community of Chéticamp. What specific and targeted measures does the government intend to put in place?
You made broad statements about the act, but could the government increase francophone immigration levels in Nova Scotia?
The government made changes to its immigration policy by welcoming skilled francophone immigrants through the Express Entry system and francophone immigration pilot projects. The government met and even sometimes exceeded its francophone immigration targets outside Quebec for four consecutive years. The goal is to reach a 12% target of francophone immigrants by 2029 in order to counter the demographic decline and increase the proportion of francophones, including in Nova Scotia.
