Last Week, a new francophone immigration plan aims released by Nova Scotia. It discusses the methods for increasing the French-speaking population in the province that are mentioned in the report Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population – An Action Plan for Success (2022-2025).
As part of its development, the Nova Scotia Ministries of Labour, Skills, and Immigration (LSI) and Acadian Affairs and Francophonie partnered with the Fédération Acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, the Conseil de Développement Économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse, the University of Sainte-Anne, the Provincial Council of Acadian Schools, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
To attract francophone newcomers from other nations and provinces, it attempts to do the following:
- Engaging the community and partners more effectively
- Attraction and promotion
- Programs to increase the population
- Providing settlement services to retain and include
- Program evaluation and research
Originally introduced in March 2019, the Nova Scotia Francophone Immigration Action Plan has been expanded. To support the province’s existing francophone and Acadian populations, the plan has boosted the general French-speaking population.
In it, Nova Scotia is mainly marketed as a place where francophones are welcome worldwide.
Two immigration streams for French speakers that the study emphasizes heavily are NSNP – (Nova Scotia Nominee Program) and AIP (Atlantic Immigration Program). As part of this campaign, also aims to inform newcomers about the services. That is available to francophone immigrants in the province.
Nova Scotians speak French
French is the first language of more than 30,000 Nova Scotians, according to the 2021 census of languages.
Since the Acadians arrived in Nova Scotia in the 1600s (they later left for the southern U.S. and were forcibly expelled by the British). The province has supported a substantial French-speaking community. Several returned later.
“Over the last 400 years, Acadian and francophone communities have played an essential role in the identity. And the heritage of Nova Scotia,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labor, Skills, and Immigration. The initiative, according to the province, demonstrates Nova Scotia’s commitment to welcoming more French-speaking immigrants. As well as providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
Population growth in Nova Scotia
5000 new permanent residents will be admitted to Canada every year by 2025, according to the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025.
It is Nova Scotia’s desire to receive a portion of the increase. By 2060, the province expects its population to quadruple. It will surpass one million for the first time in its history. In most cases, the rapid population growth can be attributed to increased immigration from abroad and across provinces.
In an effort to attract more French-speaking residents to Nova Scotia. The Labor Market Priorities stream of the NSNP recently conducted a drawing. Applicants invited to participate in the program must be Express Entry-eligible. Also, applicants must have French as their first official language or have at least a 10-point score on the CLB.
Canada’s Francophone immigration
Francophone Immigration Week was the occasion for Nova Scotia’s statement. A campaign is launched every year to raise awareness of francophone immigrants during the celebration in November. Furthermore, aiming for 4.4% of immigrants to speak French outside of Quebec by the end of 2023. The federal government hopes to reach that goal by then.
Among the key foundations for luring French immigration is the Federal Action Plan for Official Languages 2018–23. Several changes have been made to Canada’s immigration policies as a result of the plan, which has a budget of $40.8 million to support its initiatives. The Mobilité Francophone program, which assists employers outside of Québec to hire temporary French-speaking workers, has also been implemented, as well as the addition of French-speaking CRS points to Express Entry. Efforts are being made to market and recruit French-speaking immigrants in the federal strategy.
