More French speakers could come to Canada to work
The Minister of Immigration announced the expansion of the Francophone Mobility Program.
Canada pays special attention to the French language and its speakers. The government of the country makes efforts to bring as many French speakers to Canada as possible. For this purpose, for example, there is the Francophone Mobility Program (Francophone Mobility Program).
The Francophone Mobility Program (FMP) is a program that allows French-speaking foreigners to obtain work permits in areas of Canada that require native French speakers. Only the province of Quebec does not participate in this program. To obtain a work permit under the FMP, you must have an invitation from an employer in any of the provinces except Quebec. Also, previously you had to be a native speaker for a job matching job level 0, A or B of NOC. The program is available to people of any nationality and from any country.
This week, Sean Fraser — the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship — announced that the Francophone Mobility Program will be expanded. First, while the program was originally only available to foreigners in high-skilled occupations, it now covers all NOC occupations except those in primary agriculture. Second, the language requirements have been lowered. Previously, a French test score of CLB 7 was required. Now a modest CLB of 5 is sufficient. That is, a person is required to have a level of French sufficient to understand oral speech and be able to express his or her thoughts. It is noted that this should be enough to work in non-skilled professions.
In addition, the applicant for the program must now document that he or she speaks French. Documentary proof can be the results of a language test, a diploma from a French university or a document confirming the fact of studying in a French-speaking educational institution. However, the Canadian government website notes that the list is not limited to these documents.
The extended version of the Francophone Mobility Program is valid for 2 years. Thanks to these changes, Canada will be able to accommodate more French-speaking immigrants. They will have the opportunity to gain valuable work experience as well as permanent residency in the country in the future.
