Canada has achieved its target of 4.4% of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec in 2022.
That announcement from Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship at École secondaire catholique Franco-Cité in Sturgeon Falls.
The federal government says over the past year, more than 16,300 new immigrants have settled in Francophone minority communities across Canada.
Officials say it’s the largest number of French-speaking immigrants outside Quebec that the country has welcomed since the data began to be recorded in 2006.
“Today, we are showing that Francophone immigration is at the heart of the values that make Canada rich, both culturally and through the distinct character of its 2 official languages,” says Fraser. “We have achieved our target. It is a significant milestone and reflects the importance and contribution of French-speaking immigrants to the vitality and development of Francophone communities outside Quebec.”
He says Canada will continue to welcome French-speaking immigrants to ensure the viability of these key communities that are helping to shape the future of our country.
The federal government says the 4.4 % represents a significant jump from 1.38% in the 2006 census.