Nova Scotia Jump Starts Francophone Immigration With New Action Plan

Nova Scotia is upping its game for francophone immigration to the Atlantic Canadian province with a new action plan to boost its French-speaking population.

“The Acadian and francophone communities have been an essential part of our province’s identity and heritage for more than 400 years,” said provincial Immigration Minister Jill Balser. 

“Our new action plan demonstrates Nova Scotia’s commitment to increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers throughout the province and ensuring they have opportunities and supports to thrive.”

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The province’s plan, dubbed Growing Nova Scotia’s Francophone Population – An Action Plan for Success (2022-25), was released Monday, at the start of National Francophone Immigration Week.

The plan attempts to:

• Increase community and partner engagement in francophone immigration;
• boost the promotion and attraction of francophone immigrants;
• undertake population growth programs;
• boost retention and inclusion through settlement services, and;
• put in place research and evaluation programs.

The provincial government’s goal is to boost francophone immigration to at least meet Ottawa’s target of 4.4 per cent francophone immigration. 

“Growing our francophone population in Nova Scotia presents significant cultural and economic opportunities across our province,” said Colton LeBlanc, minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie.

“This action plan will strengthen Acadian and francophone communities and further support the growth of the French language in our province.”

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On Monday, Nova Scotia also announced it is inviting 150 francophone candidates for immigration to the province who have created profiles through the federal Express Entry system to apply to Nova Scotia’s Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP) Labour Market Priorities stream.

“Attracting French-speaking immigrants and migrants to Nova Scotia is of crucial importance to the vitality of our Acadian and francophone regions and community as a whole,” said Université Sainte-Anne president and vice-chancellor Allister Surette.

“I am very encouraged by the leadership of the province and the opportunity of partners, such as Université Sainte-Anne, to participate in the endeavour.”

Acadian Cultural Groups Praising Nova Scotia’s Efforts To Boost Francophone Immigration

In addition to the francophone university, the province is also working with Fédération Acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, Conseil de Développement Économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse, the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency on this francophone immigration plan.

“As a francophone organization, the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial looks forward to working with the province on this new plan,” said Marcel Cottreau, the Acadian school board’s president.

“This action plan will allow us to welcome more francophone newcomers to our beautiful province and, in turn, will increase our student population, expand our qualified staff, and develop Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone community.”

Immigration to Nova Scotia is on track to end this year up 53.5 per cent, up by 4,902 new permanent residents over last year, and reach the record-setting level of 14,062 based on the trend in the first eight months of 2022, reveals the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).