The Carney-Diab Era: Francophone Focus & Sustainable Growth
- Gagandeep Singh
- Nov 30
- 4 min read
As we settle into the rhythm of the new mandate under Prime Minister Mark Carney, the direction of Canadian immigration is becoming increasingly defined by two words: Economic Precision. Following the Liberal victory in the Spring 2025 election, the government has moved swiftly to pivot from "volume" to "value"—prioritizing candidates who can immediately plug into Canada's productivity gaps.
This week, the spotlight was firmly on Francophone immigration, with significant announcements from Minister Lena Metlege Diab. Let's unpack the developments of the week and what they mean for your immigration journey.
Ministerial Update: A Big Boost for Francophone Communities
On November 26, 2025, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, held a pivotal press conference in Ottawa.
Minister Diab announced a new investment of approximately $3.6 million into the Francophone Immigration Support Program. This funding is directly aimed at strengthening Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec—a key promise of the 2025 Federal Budget.
Minister’s Statement:
"We are not just hitting targets; we are building communities. Our goal to reach 10.5% Francophone admissions outside Quebec by 2028 is ambitious, but with these new recruitment and settlement initiatives, it is achievable. We want the world's top bilingual talent to call Canada home."
This is a clear signal to prospective immigrants: French is your golden ticket. Under the Carney administration, the emphasis on official languages has intensified. If you have intermediate French skills (CLB 7), you are effectively bypassing the fierce competition of the general pool. We expect this policy to translate into larger and more frequent Francophone-category draws in Express Entry throughout December.
Express Entry: Aligning with the "Diab Doctrine"
Reflecting the Minister's announcement, this week’s Express Entry activity was targeted and specific.
Rounds of Invitations (Week of Nov 24-30, 2025):
Francophone Language Proficiency (Nov 28):
Invitations Issued: 6000
CRS Cut-off Score: 408
The score dropped slightly from previous rounds, validating the government's aggressive push to meet the 10.5% target.
Canadian Experience Class (Nov 26):
Invitations Issued: 1000
CRS Cut-off Score: 531
The high score for the Canadian Experience Class cut off is a clear indication of the large number of the candidates in the pool and the lower number of invitations issued reinforces the government's perference towards francophone candidates.
Provincial Nominee Program (Nov 25):
Invitations Issued: 777
CRS Cut-off Score: 699
The PNP cut off score eased a bit as compared to the previous rounds, however, it still remains beyond the reach for many candidates.
General Draw (Pause):
There was no General draw this week.
With the focus on Francophone and specific labour shortages (Construction/Healthcare), "General" draws are becoming rarer. The government is carefully managing the "absorptive capacity" of major cities, a key pillar of PM Carney's housing strategy.
Prime Minister's Mandate: "Growth that Works"
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the Chamber of Commerce earlier this week, touching on the intersection of immigration and the economy.
The Quote:
"We must ensure our immigration system is an engine for productivity, not just population. We are looking for the builders, the innovators, and the caretakers who will help drive Canada’s next chapter of economic success."
The shift from Trudeau to Carney has brought a more technocratic, economic-first approach to immigration. Expect stricter scrutiny on business immigration pathways and a preference for candidates with job offers in high-productivity sectors like tech, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): The Regional Engines
While Ottawa focuses on French, the provinces are focused on building.
Ontario (OINP): Continued its pattern of inviting candidates in the Skilled Trades stream. If you are an electrician, plumber, or carpenter, Ontario wants you.
British Columbia (BC PNP): Held a targeted draw on Nov 26 for Healthcare and Construction, continuing to ignore the general candidate pool to focus on essential services.
Business Immigration: The "Innovation" Pivot
With the new government's focus on productivity, we are seeing a "soft reboot" of the Start-up Visa (SUV) program. IRCC is reportedly fast-tracking applications backed by Venture Capital funds over those backed by Angel Investors or Incubators, viewing VC-backing as a stronger proxy for economic viability.
If you are an entrepreneur, aiming for VC support is now more crucial than ever for a timely processing standard.
Looking Ahead: December Expectations
Healthcare Draw: We anticipate a large category-based draw for Healthcare professionals next week to balance the monthly targets alongside the recent Francophone draw.
Pre-Holiday Rush: Expect provinces to issue a flurry of "Interest Letters" before the holiday break begins in mid-December.
Weekly Immigration Tip: The "Bilingual Bonus"
With Minister Diab's relentless focus on Francophone immigration, here is a tip that could save your application.
You don't need to be fluent in French to benefit. Even a CLB 5 in French can grant you additional CRS points for bilingualism if you have a strong English score. However, to qualify for the Francophone Category draws (and the massive advantage they bring), you need a CLB 7 in all four abilities.
If you are sitting at CLB 5/6, investing in a 3-month intensive French course to reach CLB 7 could be the difference between waiting forever and getting an ITA next month.
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