Ottawa unveils plan to strengthen francophone immigration in Manitoba
Posted July 6, 2026 2:42 pm.
Last Updated July 6, 2026 5:58 pm.
To attract and retain French-speaking newcomers in Manitoba, the federal government is investing more than $1.3 million.
The money will go towards new initiatives and an extended pilot program for eligible international students.
Funding will be distributed over two years through the Francophone Immigration Support Program.
Officials say it will promote Manitoba’s francophone communities to prospective newcomers, support credential recognition for internationally educated health-care workers, and develop digital tools to help streamline immigration and workforce integration.
“It is something that we need to work on and keep working on with all, everybody in the system,” said Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Lena Metlege Diab.
Diab also announced a one-year extension of the Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot through August 2027. The program gives eligible French-speaking international students studying in francophone communities outside Quebec access to settlement services and a pathway to permanent residence after graduation.
“It is also important that I am extending the pilot that was started because, quite frankly, there isn’t sufficient information because it took a bit longer to launch,” Diab said.
“I’ve heard from the universities involved, and they are across the country, who really are keen and are really wanting to give this their all.”
The announcement comes as Canada continues reducing its overall immigration targets.
Diab says francophone immigration remains a priority, noting Canada exceeded its goal for French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec in 2025, reaching 8.9 per cent for the fourth consecutive year.
