Canadian employers gain exclusive access to global French-speaking talent through government-backed recruitment forum
On This Page You Will Find:
- Exclusive access to pre-screened French-speaking candidates from around the world
- Step-by-step process to hire through Destination Canada's 2026 mobility forum
- LMIA exemption opportunities that could save you months of processing time
- Direct pathways to permanent and temporary hiring solutions
- Free recruitment support services most employers don't know about
Summary:
Canadian employers are getting unprecedented access to qualified international talent through the 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum. This government-backed recruitment event connects you directly with pre-screened French-speaking and bilingual professionals ready to work outside Quebec. Whether you're looking to fill temporary positions through LMIA exemptions or permanent roles via Express Entry, this forum streamlines the entire hiring process. The 2026 event expands to both virtual and in-person formats, giving you multiple opportunities to connect with candidates. Plus, you'll get free support from public employment agencies to help with job posting and candidate selection.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- The 2026 Destination Canada forum offers both virtual and in-person recruitment opportunities
- Many candidates qualify for LMIA exemptions through Mobilité Francophone, saving processing time
- You get access to pre-screened professionals from managerial, technical, and skilled trade backgrounds
- Free support services from public employment agencies help with job posting and selection
- Express Entry job offers can fast-track permanent residence applications for your chosen candidates
Sarah Martinez, HR director at a Toronto tech company, had been struggling to fill three senior developer positions for over eight months. Traditional recruitment channels weren't delivering the bilingual talent her company desperately needed. Then she discovered something that changed everything: the Destination Canada Mobility Forum.
"I had no idea the government offered this level of support for international recruitment," Sarah recalls. "Within weeks of participating, I had interviewed five qualified candidates and made two job offers."
If you're facing similar challenges finding skilled workers, you're not alone. The 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum could be your solution to accessing a global pool of pre-screened, qualified candidates ready to contribute to Canadian businesses.
What Is the Destination Canada Mobility Forum?
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum represents a unique collaboration between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and employers seeking international talent. This annual event specifically targets French-speaking and bilingual professionals willing to work in provinces and territories outside Quebec.
Unlike traditional recruitment methods where you're competing with hundreds of other employers for the same local talent, this forum gives you direct access to candidates who have already been pre-screened for their qualifications and immigration eligibility. The majority of participants don't yet have work permits or permanent residence, meaning you're not competing with established Canadian employers for their attention.
The forum combines four essential elements into one streamlined experience: immigration guidance for candidates, direct employer recruitment opportunities, regional promotion to showcase your location, and settlement support to help new hires transition successfully.
How the 2026 Forum Expands Your Options
The 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum introduces significant improvements that benefit employers. For the first time, the event will operate in both virtual and in-person formats, dramatically expanding your access to international talent.
The in-person component will take place in Paris, France, on February 14, 2026. This location strategically positions you to connect with candidates from France and other French-speaking European countries. However, the virtual component means you can also reach qualified professionals from French-speaking regions across Africa, the Caribbean, and other global locations.
Candidates can apply to attend the online forum, the in-person session, or both, depending on their eligibility and availability. This flexibility means you'll have multiple touchpoints with potential hires, increasing your chances of finding the perfect match for your positions.
Hiring for Temporary Positions: The LMIA Advantage
One of the most compelling aspects of hiring through the Destination Canada forum is the potential to bypass lengthy Labour Market Impact Assessment processes. Many candidates you'll meet qualify for LMIA exemptions, particularly through the Mobilité Francophone program.
Mobilité Francophone allows you to hire French-speaking and bilingual workers from abroad without the traditional LMIA requirements, provided they'll work outside Quebec in qualifying occupations. These include managerial positions, professional roles, technical occupations, and skilled trades.
Here's what this means for your hiring timeline: instead of waiting 6-8 months for LMIA processing, your chosen candidate could be eligible for a facilitated work permit under the francophone stream. This could reduce your time-to-hire from nearly a year to just a few months.
The program recognizes that French-speaking workers contribute to Canada's linguistic diversity goals while filling critical labor shortages. If you've been frustrated by LMIA delays in the past, this exemption pathway could change your international recruitment strategy.
Permanent Hiring Through Express Entry
For positions you want to fill permanently, the Destination Canada forum connects you directly with Express Entry candidates. When you make a job offer to an Express Entry candidate, you're not just hiring an employee – you're potentially fast-tracking their path to permanent residence.
A valid job offer can significantly boost a candidate's Comprehensive Ranking System score, improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence. This creates a win-win situation: your candidate gets priority processing for their immigration application, and you secure a long-term employee who's already committed to building their career in Canada.
However, permanent hiring does come with additional requirements. You'll typically need to demonstrate that your position can't be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In many cases, this means obtaining an LMIA, even when hiring Express Entry candidates.
The key difference is that Express Entry candidates are already in the immigration system and motivated to make the move to Canada. They're not just looking for any job – they're seeking career opportunities that will support their long-term settlement goals.
Free Support Services You Didn't Know Existed
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of the Destination Canada program is the free support services available to participating employers. The program connects you to public employment agencies in French-speaking countries for job posting and candidate selection, at no cost to you.
These agencies understand both the local job market in their countries and Canadian employment standards. They can help you craft job postings that attract qualified candidates, conduct initial screenings, and even provide cultural context that helps you evaluate candidates more effectively.
This support extends beyond just finding candidates. The agencies can help you understand salary expectations in different markets, cultural considerations for onboarding international employees, and best practices for remote interviewing across time zones.
For small and medium-sized businesses that don't have dedicated international recruitment budgets, these free services can level the playing field with larger corporations that typically dominate international talent acquisition.
Preparing Your Organization for Success
Before diving into the 2026 forum, take time to prepare your organization for international recruitment success. Start by clearly defining the roles you want to fill and understanding which positions qualify for LMIA exemptions under Mobilité Francophone.
Review your current onboarding processes with international employees in mind. Consider what additional support new hires might need, from banking and housing assistance to professional network introductions. Remember, candidates who feel supported in their transition are more likely to become long-term, productive team members.
If you're planning to make permanent job offers through Express Entry, familiarize yourself with LMIA requirements early in the process. While the forum makes it easier to find candidates, you'll still need to navigate the regulatory requirements for permanent hiring.
Making the Most of Virtual and In-Person Opportunities
The dual format of the 2026 forum requires a strategic approach to maximize your recruitment success. If you choose to attend the Paris event in person, prepare for intensive, face-to-face networking and interviewing opportunities. Bring multiple team members if possible, and plan to conduct preliminary interviews on-site.
For virtual participation, ensure your technology setup can handle professional video interviews across different time zones. Test your systems in advance and prepare digital presentations about your company and the opportunities you're offering.
Consider participating in both formats if your hiring needs are significant. The in-person event might give you deeper connections with European candidates, while the virtual component could introduce you to talent from regions that wouldn't be represented in Paris.
Understanding Candidate Expectations
Candidates participating in the Destination Canada forum are typically well-researched and serious about immigration. They're not just looking for jobs – they're evaluating entire lifestyle changes and career trajectories.
Be prepared to discuss not just the position itself, but also your community, career advancement opportunities, and how you support international employees' integration. Candidates often have questions about professional development, family considerations, and long-term career paths within your organization.
The most successful employers at these forums go beyond job descriptions to paint a picture of what life and career growth look like in their organization and community. Remember, you're competing not just with other Canadian employers, but with opportunities in other countries these candidates might be considering.
Next Steps and Timeline Considerations
If you're interested in participating in the 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum, start your preparation now. Registration processes typically open several months before the event, and popular time slots fill quickly.
Begin by identifying which positions you want to fill and researching whether they qualify for LMIA exemptions. Prepare your job descriptions with international candidates in mind, highlighting not just requirements but also the unique opportunities your organization offers.
Connect with the free support services available through public employment agencies in French-speaking countries. Even if you're months away from the forum, these agencies can help you understand market conditions and refine your recruitment strategy.
The 2026 forum represents a unique opportunity to solve your talent challenges while supporting Canada's immigration and linguistic diversity goals. With proper preparation and realistic expectations, it could be the key to building the international team your organization needs to thrive.
The global talent pool is vast, qualified, and increasingly mobile. The question isn't whether international recruitment will become essential for Canadian businesses – it's whether you'll be ready to compete effectively when that time comes. The 2026 Destination Canada Mobility Forum might be your best opportunity to get ahead of that curve.
FAQ
Q: What is the Destination Canada Mobility Forum and how can it help my business find international talent?
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum is a government-backed recruitment event that connects Canadian employers directly with pre-screened French-speaking and bilingual professionals from around the world. Unlike traditional hiring where you compete for local talent, this forum gives you exclusive access to qualified candidates who are actively seeking to immigrate to Canada and work outside Quebec. The 2026 forum introduces both virtual and in-person formats, with the physical event taking place in Paris on February 14, 2026. Candidates undergo pre-screening for qualifications and immigration eligibility before attending, meaning you're meeting motivated professionals ready to make long-term commitments to Canadian employers. The program combines recruitment with immigration guidance, making it easier for both you and your chosen candidates to navigate the hiring and work permit process.
Q: Can I avoid the lengthy LMIA process when hiring through this forum?
Yes, many candidates you'll meet through the Destination Canada forum qualify for LMIA exemptions, particularly through the Mobilité Francophone program. This program allows you to hire French-speaking and bilingual workers without traditional LMIA requirements for positions outside Quebec, including managerial roles, professional occupations, technical positions, and skilled trades. Instead of waiting 6-8 months for LMIA processing, your chosen candidate could be eligible for a facilitated work permit under the francophone stream, potentially reducing your time-to-hire from nearly a year to just a few months. However, this exemption specifically applies to temporary positions. If you're hiring for permanent roles through Express Entry candidates, you may still need to obtain an LMIA to demonstrate that the position cannot be filled by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Q: What's the difference between hiring for temporary versus permanent positions through this forum?
For temporary positions, you can leverage LMIA exemptions through Mobilité Francophone, which dramatically speeds up the hiring process for French-speaking candidates in qualifying occupations. This pathway is ideal for immediate staffing needs and can get workers to Canada within months rather than nearly a year. For permanent hiring, you'll connect with Express Entry candidates who are already in Canada's immigration system. When you make a job offer to an Express Entry candidate, you help boost their Comprehensive Ranking System score, improving their chances of receiving permanent residence. This creates long-term employees committed to building careers in Canada. However, permanent hiring typically requires demonstrating through an LMIA that no Canadian workers are available for the position. The key advantage is that Express Entry candidates are already motivated to immigrate and view your job offer as part of their long-term settlement strategy.
Q: What free support services are available to help me recruit through this program?
The Destination Canada program connects participating employers to public employment agencies in French-speaking countries at no cost. These agencies provide comprehensive support including job posting assistance, initial candidate screening, and cultural context to help you evaluate applicants more effectively. They understand both local job markets in their countries and Canadian employment standards, helping you craft compelling job descriptions and set appropriate salary expectations. For small and medium-sized businesses without dedicated international recruitment budgets, these services level the playing field with larger corporations. The support extends beyond candidate finding to include guidance on remote interviewing across time zones, cultural considerations for onboarding international employees, and best practices for managing the transition process. This comprehensive support system significantly reduces the complexity and cost typically associated with international recruitment efforts.
Q: How should I prepare my organization for the 2026 forum to maximize success?
Start by clearly identifying which positions you want to fill and researching their eligibility for LMIA exemptions under Mobilité Francophone. Review and enhance your onboarding processes with international employees in mind, considering additional support they might need such as banking assistance, housing guidance, and professional network introductions. If planning permanent hires through Express Entry, familiarize yourself with LMIA requirements early. For the dual-format event, prepare for both virtual and in-person opportunities – ensure your technology can handle professional video interviews across time zones and consider attending the Paris event on February 14, 2026, for face-to-face networking. Develop presentations about your company and community that go beyond job descriptions to address lifestyle and career growth opportunities. Register early as popular time slots fill quickly, and connect with free support services from public employment agencies months before the event to refine your recruitment strategy.
Q: What should I expect from candidates attending this forum and how do I stand out as an employer?
Candidates at the Destination Canada forum are typically well-researched, serious about immigration, and evaluating complete lifestyle changes rather than just job opportunities. They come from managerial, technical, and skilled trade backgrounds and have already been pre-screened for qualifications and immigration eligibility. Expect questions about career advancement, community life, family considerations, and long-term growth within your organization. To stand out, prepare to discuss not just the position but your community's advantages, professional development opportunities, and how you support international employees' integration. Successful employers paint a comprehensive picture of what life and career growth look like in their organization and location. Remember, you're competing with opportunities in other countries these candidates might consider, so emphasize unique aspects of your workplace culture, advancement opportunities, and the specific benefits of your geographic location. Be ready for intensive interviewing, especially at the in-person Paris event.
