Canada's largest French-speaker recruitment event opens registration
On This Page You Will Find:
- Complete registration guide for Canada's premier French-speaker recruitment event
- Exact dates, locations, and deadlines you cannot afford to miss
- Which high-demand sectors are actively hiring through this program
- Step-by-step process to maximize your networking opportunities
- Extended access benefits worth thousands in career resources
Summary:
The Destination Canada Mobility Forum 2026 represents the largest government-backed recruitment initiative for French-speaking professionals seeking Canadian employment. Running February 2-16 with events in Tunisia and France, this free invitation-only forum connects qualified candidates with employers across six high-demand sectors experiencing critical labor shortages. With registration closing January 11 and extended digital access through June 30, participants gain unprecedented access to immigration officials, provincial representatives, and hiring managers actively filling positions outside Quebec.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Registration closes January 11, 2026 at 5:59 PM ET - incomplete applications are automatically rejected
- Hybrid format includes virtual sessions (Feb 2-4) plus in-person events in Tunis (Feb 9-11) and Paris (Feb 14)
- Six priority sectors actively recruiting: construction, healthcare, education, logistics, hospitality, and advanced manufacturing
- Extended digital access continues through June 30, 2026 with exclusive videos and resources
- Attendance doesn't guarantee job offers but provides direct employer connections unavailable elsewhere
Marie Dubois refreshed her email for the tenth time that morning, waiting for confirmation that could change her family's future. Like thousands of French-speaking professionals across Africa and Europe, she'd submitted her application for what many consider the golden ticket to Canadian employment: the Destination Canada Mobility Forum.
This isn't just another job fair. It's the Canadian government's flagship recruitment initiative, specifically designed to attract qualified French-speaking and bilingual professionals to fill critical labor shortages across the country. And for 2026, the stakes have never been higher.
What Makes This Forum Different
The 21st edition of the Destination Canada Mobility Forum stands apart from typical recruitment events in several crucial ways. First, it's completely free yet invitation-only, creating an exclusive environment where serious employers meet pre-screened candidates. Second, it's backed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, giving participants direct access to officials who can explain pathways to permanent residence.
Most importantly, this isn't a generic networking event. Employers attending this forum are actively hiring, with specific positions to fill and budgets allocated for international recruitment. They're not just collecting resumes – they're making offers.
Critical Registration Requirements You Must Know
If you're considering applying, here's what you need to know immediately:
Registration opened December 31, 2025, and closes January 11, 2026 at 17:59 Eastern Time. That's a tight 11-day window for what will likely be thousands of applications.
The process is unforgiving: one registration per person, complete applications only. Immigration officials automatically disqualify incomplete forms without review. This means every section must be filled out entirely, all supporting documents uploaded, and language proficiency clearly demonstrated.
Invitations will be distributed electronically by late January 2026. If you're selected, you'll receive access to both virtual sessions and, if applicable, in-person events.
The Hybrid Format Advantage
The 2026 forum offers unprecedented flexibility with its hybrid approach:
Virtual Sessions (February 2-4, 2026): These three days provide comprehensive access to all participating employers and immigration representatives from anywhere with internet access. You'll attend information sessions, visit virtual employer booths, and participate in one-on-one video interviews.
In-Person Events:
- Tunis, Tunisia: February 9-11, 2026
- Paris, France: February 14, 2026
The in-person components offer something virtual events can't: face-to-face networking that often leads to immediate job offers. Many participants report that handshake conversations at these events resulted in formal employment contracts within weeks.
Six Sectors Driving Recruitment
Canada's labor market analysis reveals persistent shortages in specific sectors, making these the primary focus for 2026 recruitment:
Construction Trades: With infrastructure projects valued at over $180 billion planned through 2030, demand for skilled tradespeople has reached critical levels. Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and heavy equipment operators are particularly sought after.
Healthcare: Canada needs approximately 123,000 additional healthcare workers by 2028. This includes registered nurses, medical technicians, personal support workers, and specialized therapists.
Education: French-language education outside Quebec faces severe teacher shortages, creating opportunities for qualified educators at all levels.
Logistics: E-commerce growth has created unprecedented demand for logistics coordinators, warehouse supervisors, and transportation specialists.
Hospitality: Tourism recovery post-pandemic has left hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues scrambling for experienced managers and skilled staff.
Advanced Manufacturing: Canada's push toward high-tech manufacturing requires engineers, technicians, and production specialists familiar with automated systems.
Maximizing Your Forum Experience
Successful participants approach this forum strategically, not casually. Here's how to maximize your opportunities:
Before the Event: Research participating employers thoroughly. Most publish their job openings and company profiles on the forum platform weeks in advance. Prepare targeted questions for each employer you plan to meet, and have multiple versions of your resume ready – one highlighting technical skills, another emphasizing management experience, and a third focusing on bilingual capabilities.
During Virtual Sessions: Treat video interactions like formal interviews. Professional attire, proper lighting, and a quiet environment are essential. Many employers make preliminary decisions based on these virtual meetings.
For In-Person Events: Arrive early, dress professionally, and bring multiple printed copies of your resume. The most successful participants often secure multiple interviews in a single day.
Extended Access: The Hidden Value
Here's what many applicants don't realize: your forum access doesn't end when the live events conclude. From February 16 through June 30, 2026, registered participants maintain access to:
- All virtual employer booths and company information
- Complete video recordings of every information session
- Downloadable immigration guides and regional information packages
- Updated job postings as new positions become available
This extended access often proves more valuable than the live events themselves. Employers frequently post additional positions weeks or months later, and having continued platform access means you're among the first to know.
Managing Realistic Expectations
While the Destination Canada Mobility Forum offers exceptional opportunities, it's important to understand what it doesn't guarantee. Attendance doesn't automatically result in job offers, work permits, or permanent residence approval. Success depends on your qualifications, interview performance, and how well your skills match employer needs.
However, the forum does provide something invaluable: direct access to Canadian employers who are actively hiring and familiar with the immigration process. Many participating companies have dedicated international recruitment budgets and established procedures for supporting foreign worker applications.
The Immigration Connection
What sets this forum apart from other international job fairs is its direct connection to Canada's immigration system. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada representatives attend specifically to explain pathways from temporary work permits to permanent residence.
They'll outline programs like the Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Worker Program – and more importantly, explain how employment obtained through the forum can support your immigration applications.
Taking Action
With registration closing January 11, 2026, time is critical. The application process typically takes 2-3 hours to complete properly, requiring detailed employment history, education credentials, and language test results.
If you're a French-speaking or bilingual professional in one of the target sectors, this forum represents one of the most direct pathways to Canadian employment available. The combination of government backing, employer commitment, and immigration pathway integration creates opportunities that simply don't exist elsewhere.
For specific questions about the application process, contact parisdestinationcanada@international.gc.ca. The registration platform is available at destinationcanada2026.vfairs.com.
The next few weeks will determine whether you're among the select group of professionals who gain access to Canada's most exclusive recruitment event. For Marie Dubois and thousands like her, that confirmation email could be the first step toward building a new life in Canada.
FAQ
Q: How do I register for the Destination Canada Mobility Forum 2026 and what are the exact deadlines?
Registration for the Destination Canada Mobility Forum 2026 opened on December 31, 2025, and closes on January 11, 2026, at exactly 5:59 PM Eastern Time. You must complete your application at destinationcanada2026.vfairs.com within this tight 11-day window. The process is strictly one registration per person, and incomplete applications are automatically rejected without review. This means every section must be filled out completely, all supporting documents uploaded, and language proficiency clearly demonstrated. The application typically takes 2-3 hours to complete properly, requiring detailed employment history, education credentials, and language test results. Invitations will be distributed electronically by late January 2026. Given the thousands of expected applications and the unforgiving nature of the process, it's crucial to start your application immediately and allow sufficient time to gather all required documentation before the deadline.
Q: What sectors are actively recruiting at the forum and what specific positions are available?
The forum focuses on six high-demand sectors experiencing critical labor shortages across Canada. Construction trades are desperately needed for $180 billion worth of infrastructure projects planned through 2030, particularly electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and heavy equipment operators. Healthcare requires approximately 123,000 additional workers by 2028, including registered nurses, medical technicians, personal support workers, and specialized therapists. Education faces severe French-language teacher shortages outside Quebec at all levels. The logistics sector needs coordinators, warehouse supervisors, and transportation specialists due to e-commerce growth. Hospitality venues are scrambling for experienced managers and skilled staff as tourism recovers post-pandemic. Advanced manufacturing seeks engineers, technicians, and production specialists familiar with automated systems as Canada pushes toward high-tech manufacturing. These aren't just general opportunities – participating employers have specific positions to fill with allocated budgets for international recruitment.
Q: What's the difference between virtual and in-person events, and which should I prioritize?
The 2026 forum offers a hybrid format with distinct advantages for each component. Virtual sessions run February 2-4, 2026, providing comprehensive access to all participating employers and immigration representatives from anywhere with internet access. You'll attend information sessions, visit virtual employer booths, and participate in one-on-one video interviews. These sessions are crucial for initial screening and broad networking. In-person events occur in Tunis, Tunisia (February 9-11) and Paris, France (February 14), offering irreplaceable face-to-face networking opportunities. Many participants report that handshake conversations at in-person events resulted in formal employment contracts within weeks. If you can only attend one format, prioritize virtual sessions for comprehensive access to all employers. However, if you're serious about securing immediate job offers and can attend an in-person event, the combination of both formats maximizes your success potential significantly.
Q: What happens after the live events end, and how valuable is the extended access?
Your forum access continues from February 16 through June 30, 2026, providing what many consider more valuable than the live events themselves. Extended access includes all virtual employer booths and company information, complete video recordings of every information session, downloadable immigration guides and regional information packages, and updated job postings as new positions become available. This extended period often proves crucial because employers frequently post additional positions weeks or months after the live events, and having continued platform access means you're among the first to know about these opportunities. Many successful participants report securing positions months after the initial forum through this extended access. The platform becomes your ongoing connection to Canadian employers and immigration resources, essentially providing a four-month window of exclusive access to opportunities that aren't available through traditional job search methods.
Q: How should I prepare strategically to maximize my chances of success at the forum?
Strategic preparation begins weeks before the forum starts. Research participating employers thoroughly, as most publish job openings and company profiles on the platform in advance. Prepare multiple targeted versions of your resume – one highlighting technical skills, another emphasizing management experience, and a third focusing on bilingual capabilities. Develop specific questions for each employer you plan to meet, showing genuine interest in their company and available positions. For virtual sessions, ensure professional attire, proper lighting, and a quiet environment, as many employers make preliminary hiring decisions based on these video interactions. If attending in-person events, arrive early, dress professionally, and bring multiple printed resume copies. The most successful participants often secure multiple interviews in a single day by treating each interaction as a formal interview. Practice your elevator pitch in both English and French, and prepare specific examples of how your experience addresses the labor shortages in your target sector.
Q: What immigration pathways are available through the forum, and how does employment connect to permanent residence?
The forum provides direct access to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada representatives who explain specific pathways from temporary work permits to permanent residence. Key programs include the Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class, and Federal Skilled Worker Program. Employment obtained through the forum can significantly support your immigration applications because participating employers are familiar with the international recruitment process and often have established procedures for supporting foreign worker applications. Many companies have dedicated international recruitment budgets specifically for this purpose. The government backing of this forum means employers understand the immigration requirements and are prepared to provide necessary documentation for work permit applications. Representatives will explain how Canadian work experience gained through forum employment can lead to additional points in Express Entry systems and qualify you for various permanent residence streams. This direct connection between employment and immigration pathways is what distinguishes this forum from other international job fairs.
Q: What are realistic expectations for job offers, and what doesn't the forum guarantee?
While the forum offers exceptional opportunities, it's crucial to understand that attendance doesn't automatically guarantee job offers, work permits, or permanent residence approval. Success depends on your qualifications, interview performance, and how well your skills match specific employer needs among potentially thousands of other qualified candidates. However, the forum provides something invaluable that typical job searches don't: direct access to Canadian employers who are actively hiring with specific positions to fill and allocated budgets for international recruitment. These aren't employers just collecting resumes – they're making actual offers and have experience with the immigration process. Many participants do receive job offers, but success requires thorough preparation, professional presentation, and realistic assessment of your qualifications against employer requirements. The forum's value lies in providing access to opportunities that simply don't exist elsewhere, but converting that access into employment still requires effort and the right fit between your skills and employer needs.
