Canada announces a Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot

On 14 August 2024, the Government of Canada announced the introduction of a new Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP). The FMCSP targets French-speaking foreign nationals from certain countries to facilitate the obtaining of a Study Permit by integrating into Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec. The pilot will provide access to settlement services during their studies, as well as open options for permanent residence eligibility after graduation. The Government of Canada announced the Action Plan for Official Languages 2023—2028 in April 2023, which established yearly targets for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the admission of French-speaking residents outside of Quebec, as well as the need to implement policy on Francophone immigration. Since this announcement, IRCC has made demonstrated efforts to attract French-speaking foreign nationals to communities outside of Quebec, such as targeted Express Entry selections for the French-language proficiency category, and the relaxing of the eligibility requirements for the Francophone Mobility Work Permit, amongst others.

A Tax Alert prepared by EY Law LLP group, and attached below, provides additional details.