The Canadian government is shifting its focus toward boosting the number of French-speaking immigrants settling outside Quebec. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged to increase the target to 12% of all permanent residents outside Quebec by 2029. This is a strategic move to not only strengthen minority French-speaking communities across the country but also secure their future growth and cultural vitality.
Indians Turn to French for Better Opportunities
With immigration caps looming—Canada is dropping its permanent resident intake to 395,000 in 2025, a noticeable cut from previous plans—Indians seeking jobs in Canada are now turning to language skills as a way to stand out. Learning French is no longer just an additional skill; for many, it’s a gateway to securing a visa, accessing better employers, and successfully integrating into Canadian society.
Mayank Kumar, CEO of BorderPlus, highlights how more Indian nurses are now taking up language courses:
“Language proficiency today directly impacts visa eligibility, access to higher-quality employers, and the ability to integrate into healthcare systems abroad. Mastering a new language isn’t just about passing an exam—it’s about securing long-term career growth overseas,” he explains.
Husain Tinwala, president of upGrad Rekrut, sees French as a “gateway skill” for Indian professionals across IT, finance, and healthcare. “Employers are increasingly flagging ‘French proficiency’ as a desired filter, and demand for bilingual talent is rising across sectors, especially beyond Quebec,” he notes. What’s more, French language classes are booming not only in India’s metro cities but also in tier-2 hubs—showcasing just how vital this skill has become for global career ambitions.
Mamta Shekhawat, founder of Gradding.com, describes French as a “career accelerator” for students and professionals alike. “Whether in banking or tech, employers value French proficiency, not just for immigration, but as a way to future-proof careers,” she says.
Boosting Francophone Communities Is a National Priority
For Canada’s French-speaking communities, especially those outside Quebec, welcoming more francophone immigrants is essential for survival and growth. Liane Roy, president of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne, warns that without more French-speaking newcomers, many communities—especially in rural areas—could simply disappear. Immigration is also key to filling labour shortages and offsetting the effects of an aging population.
Canadian officials are responding by introducing French-language draws under the Express Entry program to boost admissions. In 2024, the government exceeded its six percent target, with 7.2% (30,550 people) of new permanent residents outside Quebec being French speakers. Advocates are pushing to raise this bar even higher, setting sights on a 20% target in the future.
French Fluency: Your Ticket to Essential Services and Better Careers
As Canada tightens its overall immigration caps—holding new permanent residents below 1% of the population and student/worker visas under five percent by 2027—French proficiency offers a major advantage. French-speaking newcomers are not only needed in public services like healthcare and education but help ensure everyone can communicate in their preferred language.
Institutions such as Collège Boréal in Ontario are actively recruiting French-speaking healthcare workers, especially in regions participating in initiatives like the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, helping newcomers thrive and local communities grow.
In Conclusion:
If you’re an Indian jobseeker dreaming about a life and career in Canada, learning French could be your strategic edge. With rising demand for bilingual talent, robust government support for francophone immigration, and growing opportunities in every sector, mastering French is quickly becoming the “must-have” skill to make your Canadian dream a reality.
