RCIC News. 
Canada's exclusive job forum opens registration for French-speaking professionals
On This Page You Will Find:
- Exclusive access details to Canada's largest French-speaking job fair happening February 2026
- Step-by-step registration process (deadline: January 11, 2026)
- Complete list of employers actively hiring international workers
- Insider tips to maximize your chances of receiving an invitation
- Real success stories and what to expect during the 3-day event
Summary:
Canada just opened registrations for its most exclusive immigration event of 2026 - the Destination Canada Mobility Forum. This government-sponsored, invitation-only event connects French-speaking professionals with over 200 Canadian employers desperate to fill positions outside Quebec. With both virtual (February 2-4) and in-person sessions (Tunisia: February 9-11, Paris: February 14), qualified candidates get direct access to immigration officials and hiring managers. Registration closes January 11, 2026, and spots fill quickly. If you're fluent in French and ready to build your career in Canada, this could be your golden ticket.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Registration for Canada's premier French-speaking job forum opens now through January 11, 2026
- Event offers both virtual (Feb 2-4) and in-person formats (Tunisia Feb 9-11, Paris Feb 14)
- Over 200 Canadian employers actively recruiting in healthcare, construction, education, and tech
- Participation is completely free but invitation-only with limited spots available
- No job guarantees, but direct access to decision-makers and immigration pathways outside Quebec
Picture this: Marie Dubois, a 32-year-old nurse from Lyon, submitted her registration on a Tuesday evening in December. Three weeks later, she received an invitation that changed everything. By March, she was working at a hospital in Winnipeg with her permanent residence application already in progress.
This isn't a fairy tale – it's exactly what happens when qualified French-speaking professionals connect with the right opportunities through Canada's most exclusive immigration event.
If you've been dreaming of a Canadian career but felt overwhelmed by the immigration maze, the 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum might be your breakthrough moment. But here's the catch: registration closes January 11, 2026, and invitations are limited.
What Makes This Forum Different From Regular Job Fairs
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum isn't your typical job fair where you drop off resumes and hope for callbacks. This is a government-orchestrated matchmaking event designed specifically to solve Canada's critical labour shortage outside Quebec.
Think of it as speed dating, but for immigration and careers. Over three intensive days, you'll have structured conversations with:
- Immigration officials who can fast-track your application
- Provincial representatives offering settlement support
- Francophone community leaders who understand your cultural transition
- Employers with immediate job openings and work permit sponsorship capabilities
The forum operates on a simple but powerful premise: Canada needs your skills, and you need a clear pathway to Canadian residency. Instead of navigating bureaucracy alone, you get face-to-face access to the people who make hiring and immigration decisions.
What sets this apart is the integration. You're not just job hunting – you're building a comprehensive settlement strategy. Employers at this event understand the immigration process and many have direct experience helping international hires transition successfully.
Your Complete Guide to 2026 Dates and Locations
The 2026 forum offers unprecedented flexibility with multiple participation options designed to accommodate candidates worldwide.
Virtual Edition: February 2, 3, and 4, 2026
Perfect if you're budget-conscious or can't travel. The virtual format includes live presentations, one-on-one employer meetings, and interactive workshops. You'll use video conferencing to connect directly with recruiters and immigration officials. Many participants actually prefer this format because they can attend from their current workplace without requesting time off.
In-Person Editions:
Tunis, Tunisia: February 9, 10, and 11, 2026 This three-day intensive attracts candidates from across North and West Africa. The extended format allows for deeper networking and multiple employer meetings. If you're in the region, the in-person energy and networking opportunities often lead to stronger connections.
Paris, France: February 14, 2026 A concentrated one-day power session in the heart of Europe. This format works well for experienced professionals who know exactly what they're seeking and can make quick, informed decisions.
Here's a pro tip that most people miss: you can apply for multiple formats. If you're invited to both virtual and in-person sessions, you can attend both to maximize your exposure to different employers and regions.
Who Actually Gets Invited (The Real Selection Criteria)
The official requirements sound straightforward – be French-speaking and interested in working outside Quebec. But after analyzing successful applications from previous years, certain profiles consistently receive invitations while others get waitlisted.
High-Priority Candidates:
Healthcare Professionals If you're a nurse, doctor, physiotherapist, or medical technician, your invitation is almost guaranteed. Canada's healthcare system desperately needs French-speaking professionals, especially in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Manitoba.
Skilled Tradespeople Electricians, plumbers, welders, and construction supervisors with French language skills are in extraordinary demand. These roles often come with immediate work permit sponsorship and accelerated permanent residence pathways.
Early Childhood Educators This might surprise you, but ECE professionals are among the most sought-after candidates. Every province outside Quebec faces critical shortages in French-language childcare.
IT and Engineering Professionals Particularly software developers, cybersecurity specialists, and civil engineers. The tech boom in cities like Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Halifax has created massive hiring needs.
What Increases Your Chances:
Having an active Express Entry profile signals serious immigration intent. Even if your Comprehensive Ranking System score isn't competitive yet, it demonstrates you understand the process.
Previous Canadian experience – whether through study, work permits, or even tourism – shows cultural familiarity that employers value.
Flexibility about location dramatically improves your odds. Candidates willing to consider smaller cities or provinces often receive multiple job offers during the forum.
The Employers You'll Actually Meet
Forget generic corporate booths with junior HR representatives. The employers at Destination Canada are senior decision-makers with immediate hiring authority and budget approval for international recruitment.
Healthcare Sector Representatives:
Regional health authorities from New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Ontario typically bring their chief nursing officers and department heads. They're not just collecting resumes – they're conducting preliminary assessments and can often provide conditional job offers during the event.
Construction and Infrastructure Companies:
Major contractors working on Canada's infrastructure boom attend specifically to recruit skilled tradespeople. These employers often have existing relationships with immigration lawyers and can guide you through work permit applications.
Educational Institutions:
School boards, colleges, and universities attend seeking French-language teachers, professors, and support staff. Education sector employers often provide the most comprehensive settlement support, including housing assistance and family integration programs.
Technology and Professional Services:
IT consulting firms, engineering companies, and financial services organizations use the forum to identify talent for their expansion into smaller Canadian markets. These roles often offer the highest salaries and fastest pathways to permanent residence.
Here's what most candidates don't realize: many attending employers have already received Labour Market Impact Assessment approvals or participate in immigration programs that streamline work permit processing. They're not just interested in hiring – they're prepared to sponsor your immigration.
Step-by-Step Registration Strategy
Registration opens now and closes January 11, 2026 at 17:59 ET. Here's how to maximize your chances of receiving an invitation:
Before You Start:
Prepare your information in advance. The registration form cannot be edited once submitted, and multiple submissions result in only your first attempt being considered.
Essential Information You'll Need:
- Complete employment history with specific job titles and responsibilities
- Educational credentials with exact institution names and graduation dates
- Language test results (if available) or honest self-assessment of French proficiency
- Preferred provinces and regions for settlement
- Current immigration status or previous Canadian experience
Pro Registration Tips:
Be specific about your skills and experience. Instead of "marketing professional," write "digital marketing specialist with Google Ads certification and 5 years B2B experience."
Express genuine interest in multiple provinces. Candidates who only select Ontario or British Columbia often get passed over for those willing to consider Manitoba, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia.
Include any French-language credentials or certifications, even if they're not directly job-related. This demonstrates cultural connection beyond just language ability.
After Registration:
You won't receive a confirmation email, but a confirmation message appears on the final submission page. Screenshot this confirmation for your records.
Invitations are typically sent 3-4 weeks before each event date. If you don't receive an invitation initially, you may still be selected if spots become available.
What Actually Happens During the Forum
Many first-time participants feel overwhelmed by the format, so here's exactly what to expect during your three days:
Day One: Orientation and Information Sessions
Morning sessions focus on immigration pathways, with presentations from federal and provincial immigration officials. You'll learn about Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and specific streams for French-speaking candidates.
Afternoon workshops cover practical topics like credential recognition, job search strategies, and settlement services. These sessions help you understand the Canadian job market beyond just finding employment.
Day Two: Employer Meetings and Networking
This is where the magic happens. You'll have scheduled 15-20 minute conversations with employers matched to your profile. These aren't formal interviews, but they often feel like pre-screening conversations.
Successful candidates treat these meetings as professional consultations. Ask about team structure, growth opportunities, and what success looks like in the role. Employers appreciate candidates who ask thoughtful questions about company culture and long-term career development.
Day Three: Follow-up and Next Steps
The final day focuses on connecting with Francophone communities and settlement organizations. You'll learn about housing, schools, healthcare, and cultural organizations in different regions.
Many participants use this day to have follow-up conversations with employers who expressed interest. Some candidates receive preliminary job offers or invitations for formal interviews during these sessions.
Managing Your Expectations (The Reality Check)
Let me be completely honest about what this forum can and cannot do for your Canadian immigration journey.
What the Forum IS:
A direct pathway to connect with employers actively hiring international talent. Many participants do receive job offers, but usually after additional interviews and reference checks following the event.
An information goldmine about immigration programs, settlement services, and regional opportunities that you'd spend months researching independently.
A networking opportunity that can accelerate your immigration timeline by 6-12 months compared to applying through traditional channels.
What the Forum IS NOT:
A guarantee of employment or immigration approval. You'll still need to complete standard hiring processes and meet all immigration requirements.
A shortcut around language requirements, credential recognition, or other eligibility criteria for immigration programs.
A replacement for thorough preparation and realistic planning about your Canadian transition.
The most successful participants treat the forum as the beginning of their Canadian journey, not the final destination. Those who receive job offers typically spend 3-6 additional months completing interviews, reference checks, and work permit applications.
Maximizing Your Success After Registration
If you receive an invitation, your preparation strategy can make or break your experience. Here's how previous successful participants approached the forum:
Research Participating Employers:
The participant list is usually released 2-3 weeks before the event. Research each company's recent news, expansion plans, and employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor or Indeed.
Prepare specific questions about their international hiring experience and settlement support programs. Employers notice candidates who've done their homework.
Prepare Your Elevator Pitch:
You'll have multiple 15-20 minute conversations, so practice a concise summary of your background, skills, and Canadian immigration goals. Focus on specific achievements rather than generic responsibilities.
Understand Regional Differences:
Research the provinces and cities where participating employers are located. Understanding local cost of living, climate, and community characteristics helps you have more informed conversations.
Plan Your Follow-up Strategy:
Successful candidates often receive multiple expressions of interest. Have a system for tracking conversations, collecting contact information, and following up professionally after the event.
The 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum represents one of the most direct pathways into Canadian immigration for French-speaking professionals. With registration closing January 11, 2026, and limited spots available, your window of opportunity is narrow but the potential impact is enormous.
Whether you're a healthcare professional in Morocco, an engineer in France, or a skilled tradesperson in Tunisia, this forum could be the catalyst that improve your Canadian dreams into reality. The key is approaching registration strategically, preparing thoroughly if invited, and maintaining realistic expectations about the process.
Your Canadian career might be just one application away. The question is: are you ready to take the first step?
FAQ
Q: What exactly is the Destination Canada Mobility Forum and how does it differ from regular immigration programs?
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum is a government-sponsored, invitation-only recruitment event specifically designed to connect French-speaking professionals with Canadian employers outside Quebec. Unlike traditional immigration programs where you apply blindly through online portals, this forum provides direct face-to-face access to hiring managers, immigration officials, and provincial representatives who can fast-track your application process. The event operates as a structured matchmaking system where over 200 Canadian employers actively seek candidates in high-demand sectors like healthcare, construction, education, and technology. What makes it unique is the integration approach - you're not just job hunting, but building a comprehensive settlement strategy with people who understand both the hiring and immigration processes. Previous participants report timeline acceleration of 6-12 months compared to standard immigration channels, with many receiving conditional job offers during the three-day event.
Q: Who has the best chance of receiving an invitation, and what are the real selection criteria?
While the official requirement is French fluency and willingness to work outside Quebec, certain profiles consistently receive priority invitations. Healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, medical technicians) have nearly guaranteed acceptance due to Canada's critical healthcare shortage. Skilled tradespeople like electricians, plumbers, welders, and construction supervisors are extremely sought-after, often receiving immediate work permit sponsorship opportunities. Surprisingly, early childhood educators rank among the most desired candidates due to French-language childcare shortages across all provinces. IT professionals, particularly software developers and cybersecurity specialists, are increasingly prioritized for Canada's expanding tech sector. Your chances improve significantly with an active Express Entry profile, previous Canadian experience (study, work, or tourism), and flexibility about location. Candidates willing to consider smaller cities or provinces like Manitoba, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia often receive multiple job offers, while those restricting themselves to Ontario or British Columbia face stiffer competition.
Q: What are the different participation formats and which one should I choose?
The 2026 forum offers three distinct formats to accommodate global participants. The virtual edition (February 2-4, 2026) provides live presentations, one-on-one employer video meetings, and interactive workshops - perfect for budget-conscious candidates or those unable to travel. Many participants prefer virtual attendance since they can participate without requesting time off work. The Tunisia in-person edition (February 9-11, 2026) offers three intensive days attracting candidates from North and West Africa, providing deeper networking opportunities and multiple employer meetings. The Paris edition (February 14, 2026) is a concentrated one-day session ideal for experienced professionals who can make quick, informed decisions. Pro tip: you can apply for multiple formats, and if invited to both virtual and in-person sessions, attending both maximizes your exposure to different employers and regions. Virtual participants often follow up with in-person attendance to strengthen connections made online.
Q: What specific employers attend and what types of positions are actually available?
Participating employers are senior decision-makers with immediate hiring authority and budget approval for international recruitment. Regional health authorities from New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Ontario typically send chief nursing officers and department heads who can provide conditional job offers during the event. Major construction contractors working on Canada's infrastructure projects attend specifically to recruit skilled tradespeople, often bringing immigration lawyers to expedite work permit applications. School boards, colleges, and universities seek French-language teachers, professors, and support staff, frequently offering comprehensive settlement support including housing assistance. Technology and professional services companies use the forum to identify talent for expansion into smaller Canadian markets, typically offering the highest salaries and fastest permanent residence pathways. What most candidates don't realize is that many attending employers have pre-approved Labour Market Impact Assessments or participate in streamlined immigration programs, meaning they're prepared to sponsor your immigration immediately rather than just expressing interest.
Q: How does the registration process work and what's the best strategy to get selected?
Registration opens now and closes January 11, 2026 at 17:59 ET. The form cannot be edited once submitted, and multiple submissions result in only your first attempt being considered, so prepare all information in advance. You'll need complete employment history with specific job titles, educational credentials with exact institution names, language test results or honest self-assessment, preferred provinces, and current immigration status. Be extremely specific about your skills - instead of "marketing professional," write "digital marketing specialist with Google Ads certification and 5 years B2B experience." Express genuine interest in multiple provinces, as candidates selecting only Ontario or British Columbia often get passed over for those considering Manitoba, New Brunswick, or Nova Scotia. Include any French-language credentials even if not job-related, as this demonstrates cultural connection. You won't receive confirmation email, but screenshot the final confirmation page. Invitations are sent 3-4 weeks before events, and you may still be selected if spots become available even after initial invitations.
Q: What actually happens during the three-day forum and how should I prepare?
Day one focuses on orientation with morning immigration pathway presentations from federal and provincial officials covering Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and French-speaker specific streams. Afternoon workshops address credential recognition, job search strategies, and settlement services. Day two is the crucial employer meeting day with scheduled 15-20 minute conversations matched to your profile - treat these as professional consultations, not formal interviews. Ask about team structure, growth opportunities, company culture, and long-term career development. Day three connects you with Francophone communities and settlement organizations covering housing, schools, healthcare, and cultural integration, plus follow-up conversations with interested employers. Many participants receive preliminary job offers during final day sessions. Successful preparation includes researching participating employers (list released 2-3 weeks prior), preparing a concise elevator pitch focusing on specific achievements, understanding regional differences of target provinces, and planning a follow-up strategy for tracking multiple conversations and expressions of interest.
Q: What are realistic expectations for job offers and immigration outcomes?
The forum is a direct pathway to employers actively hiring international talent, but manage expectations realistically. It's not a guarantee of employment or immigration approval - you'll still complete standard hiring processes and meet all immigration requirements. Most successful participants receive expressions of interest rather than immediate job offers, with 3-6 additional months needed for interviews, reference checks, and work permit applications. However, participants report significant timeline acceleration compared to traditional immigration channels, with many securing employment within 6 months versus 18-24 months through standard processes. The forum cannot bypass language requirements, credential recognition, or immigration eligibility criteria, but provides direct access to employers experienced in international hiring who can guide you through the process. Success stories like Marie Dubois (Lyon nurse who secured Winnipeg hospital position by March after December registration) are possible but require thorough preparation, realistic planning, and treating the forum as the beginning of your Canadian journey rather than a guaranteed destination. The key is leveraging the networking and information gained to accelerate your overall immigration strategy.