Hiring francophone immigrants without a Labour Market Impact Assessment

In a series of meetings with community leaders, immigration advocacy groups, and stakeholders in Winnipeg this week, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander has advocated increased francophone immigration across Canada.

Alexander said communities outside Quebec should be targeted in particular for francophone immigration. The Government of Canada is committed to increasing the French-speaking immigrant population outside Quebec, and has established the Francophone Significant Benefit Program for employers, which allows for LMIA-exempt hiring of skilled French-speaking/bilingual professionals.

"Our government is proud to promote Francophone immigration to Canada, which will help to ensure our communities remain vibrant and prosperous. We will continue to work with our partners to attract Francophone immigrants with the skills our labour market and economy needs," Alexander said.

While in Winnipeg, Mr. Alexander met with the local Francophone Immigration Network and other stakeholders to discuss francophone immigration and other local needs. The minister also visited the Accueil Francophone and met with young Manitobans who participated in a program of the Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba. These two organizations provide services and programs to help francophone immigrants settle and enter the job market.