New Francophone Immigration Pathway Launches in Canada

New Francophone Pathway to Permanent Residence Announced in Three Canadian Communities

French-speaking newcomers now have exciting new opportunities to become permanent residents of Canada, thanks to a newly launched immigration initiative. The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) has expanded, with three more regions—Acadian Peninsula in New Brunswick, St. Pierre Jolys in Manitoba, and Kelowna in British Columbia—revealing details about their participation in the program.

This employer-driven pilot program is designed to attract French-speaking talent to communities outside of Quebec. If you’re fluent in French and have a job offer in one of the designated occupations, this may be your ticket to Canadian permanent residence.

Key Highlights

• Three communities—Acadian Peninsula, St. Pierre Jolys, and Kelowna—have detailed their FCIP participation.
• The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) offers a pathway to PR for French speakers with job offers in eligible occupations.
• Each community has identified priority sectors and occupations where employers are actively hiring.
• Applicants must have a job offer from a designated employer to qualify for the program.
• Other eligibility criteria include French language proficiency, work experience, education, and settlement funds.
• This initiative supports Canada’s goal to increase Francophone immigration outside Quebec.

What Is the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)?

The FCIP is a federal immigration program launched to help French-speaking newcomers settle in Canadian communities outside of Quebec. It’s an employer-focused pilot, meaning you’ll need a job offer from a designated employer in a participating community. Once recommended by the community, you can apply for permanent residence through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Let’s take a closer look at how the three newly participating communities are contributing to this initiative.

Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick

Located on New Brunswick’s stunning northeastern coast, the Acadian Peninsula is rich in Francophone culture—and now it’s welcoming skilled French-speaking workers under the FCIP. The community has outlined priority sectors and occupations in areas like healthcare, education, trades, and sales.

Top in-demand occupations include:

• Registered nurses and psychiatric nurses
• Early childhood educators
• Administrative assistants and financial advisors
• Construction trades helpers and electricians
• Retail salespersons and food service workers

Designated employers in the Acadian Peninsula currently include:

• Distillerie Fils du Roy (Paquetville)
• Pinokkio Pizzeria, Resto Bar
• Subway (Shippagan)
• Tim Hortons (Neguac)

St. Pierre Jolys, Manitoba

Just southeast of Winnipeg, the welcoming village of St. Pierre Jolys has also joined the FCIP. Known for its strong Francophone heritage, this Manitoba community is prioritizing occupations in healthcare, education, trades, and administration.

In-demand roles in St. Pierre Jolys include:

• General practitioners, nurse practitioners, and dentists
• Veterinarians and registered nurses
• Early childhood educators and teacher assistants
• Carpenters, electricians, and welders
• Insurance agents and financial advisors

As of now, no designated employers have been officially announced in St. Pierre Jolys. Keep an eye on updates if you’re considering this community!

Looking to explore more Manitoba immigration options? Try our Manitoba PNP points calculator to check your eligibility!

Kelowna, British Columbia

Kelowna, nestled in the Okanagan Valley, is well known for its scenic beauty, wineries, and growing economy. Under the FCIP, Kelowna is welcoming French-speaking workers in sectors like hospitality, trades, education, and healthcare.

Key occupations in demand include:

• Cooks, bakers, and food service supervisors
• Hotel front desk clerks and cleaning supervisors
• Carpenters, electricians, and roofers
• Social and community service workers
• Home support workers and veterinary staff

Designated employers in Kelowna include:

• De Dutch Kelowna
• London Drugs Kelowna

Why Designated Employers and Occupations Matter

To qualify under the FCIP, it’s not enough to just be fluent in French. You must have a valid job offer from an employer that’s been designated by the community. These employers must operate in one of the community’s priority sectors and hire for one of its in-demand occupations.

Once you secure a job offer, the community can recommend you for the program. From there, you can apply directly for permanent residence through the federal government. In some cases, you may also be eligible for a temporary 2-year work permit so you can start working while your PR application is processed.

Other Participating Communities in the FCIP

In total, six communities are part of this pilot:

• Acadian Peninsula, NB
• St. Pierre Jolys, MB
• Kelowna, BC
• Sudbury, ON – Already revealed its priority sectors and designated employers
• Timmins, ON – Also published its high-demand occupations and employers
• Superior East Region, ON – Expected to announce details soon

Eligibility Requirements for the FCIP