1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. (EST): Opening remarks

1:45 ­ 3:00 p.m. (EST): Target deadline, taking stock and looking ahead

The 4.4% target for Francophone immigration, adopted in 2003, ends next year. The panelists will review the key learnings from the past two decades and what needs to be considered in the renewal of this target.

1:00 p.m. ­ 2:30 p.m. (EST): Welcoming refugees to Francophone and Acadian communities  

Canada has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to quickly mobilize resources to respond to refugee resettlement emergencies. In 2018 and 2019, Canada was, in fact, the world’s largest resettlement country for refugees. Afghan refugees are an even more recent example in this regard.

 In this context, it is more relevant than ever to reflect on the role of Francophone and Acadian communities in the resettlement of refugees and on the measures to be developed to increase community capacity to meet the specific needs of Francophone and allophone refugees.

1:00 p.m. ­ 2:15 p.m. (EST): Francophone immigration as a tool for economic recovery

The important contribution of immigrants to the Canadian economy is well documented. However, like Canada as a whole, Francophone and Acadian communities are facing a significant labour shortage; therefore, more and more employers are turning to immigration to fill vacant positions in their companies.

How can we promote economic immigration to Francophone and Acadian communities across the country? What are the promising practices in international recruitment? How do we ensure that Francophone businesses and communities are well equipped in this area? How can we accompany recruited candidates through the immigration process and take their needs into account? These are some of the questions that will be addressed by the panelists.

2:15 ­ 2:45 p.m. (EST) : Breakout sessions

1:00 p.m. ­ 2:45 p.m. (EST): Post-secondary institutions as key places of mobility and immigration

The international student population appears to be a particularly promising pool of candidates for permanent residence. However, challenges remain in matching community will with government aspirations. What can be done to facilitate the long-term settlement of students once they graduate, and what measures can be put in place to facilitate the transition to permanent residence and successful settlement?

This panel will be an opportunity to take stock of the existing barriers to the reception and retention of a greater number of Francophone international students, and to reflect on possible solutions, particularly the role of post-secondary institutions in Francophone immigration.

1:00 p.m. ­ 3:00 p.m. (EST): Spotlight on ConnexionsFrancophones.ca pre-departure services

The ConnexionsFrancophones.ca pre-departure service, created in 2019 through the collaboration of five partners across Canada, is aimed at future French-speaking permanent residents. It aims to facilitate the settlement and socio-economic integration of Francophone immigrants, providing services in advance of their arrival.

 This initiative provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the stage that precedes settlement in Francophone and Acadian communities; on ways to reach future permanent residents while they are still abroad; and on how to respond to their specific needs at this stage of their migration journey.