Canada and the Northwest Territories join forces to support the growth of Francophone communities

What changed

On July 8, 2026, the federal government and the Northwest Territories (NWT) announced that they will work together to keep qualified Francophone and bilingual workers in the territory. Francophone means someone who speaks French as a first language or uses French every day. Bilingual means someone who speaks both English and French.

Background

Canada wants French-speaking communities across the country to grow and stay strong. Many communities outside Quebec have fewer French speakers than English speakers, so the federal government funds projects that help newcomers who speak French choose these places and stay there.

Key details

• The federal investment is about $860,000.
• The project focuses on Francophone and bilingual immigrants in the NWT.
• It will improve access to immigration information.
• It will raise awareness of the NWT Nominee Program and other federal immigration programs.
• It will support recognition of foreign credentials, meaning diplomas and work qualifications earned outside Canada, held by temporary residents.
• It will strengthen employer involvement in immigration in communities outside Yellowknife.
• The release does not give a start date, end date or application steps for this project. Check the official IRCC news page and the project backgrounder for those details.

Who it affects

This project is aimed at people who speak French or both French and English and who are living in, or thinking about moving to, the Northwest Territories. It also affects employers outside Yellowknife who need skilled workers and communities that want to attract and keep newcomers. The release names these groups:

• Francophone and bilingual immigrants
• Temporary residents who hold foreign credentials
• Employers in communities outside Yellowknife
• Rural communities in the NWT

What it means for you

This announcement is about support and information, not about new rules. It does not change who can apply for a program, how much a application costs, or how long processing takes. For example, a French-speaking nurse who is already a temporary resident in a small NWT town may benefit from clearer help on getting her foreign qualifications recognized. A French speaker who lives in Ontario and has no plans to move to the North would not be affected by this project.

What to do next

• Read the official IRCC news release and the project backgrounder for the full details.
• If you are interested in the NWT Nominee Program, check the territory's official program page for current eligibility and steps.
• If you are a French speaker interested in settling outside Quebec, review the official IRCC page on immigrating to a Francophone community outside Quebec.
• Keep your language test results and foreign education documents up to date and organized.
• Watch the official pages for any announcement about project services or new contacts in your community.