Acadians are descendants of early French settlers on the Atlantic coast. In Nova Scotia, Acadian communities are concentrated in some coastal regions where French is still used every day.
Language figures (2021 Census)
- 27,935 people have French as their first official language spoken, 2.9% of the population.
- 10.3% of the population is English–French bilingual.
The two Francophone communities IRCC selected
Clare
A small community rich in culture and heritage, mostly French-speaking. According to IRCC, Clare is the only municipality in Nova Scotia that offers services in both official languages.
Chéticamp region
Including Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, it is the Acadian heart of the famous Cabot Trail: a traditional fishing village between the mountains of Cape Breton Island and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, known for Acadian music, dance and traditions.
Before you choose
- Both communities are small and far from large cities: jobs, schools, specialist health care and public transit are more limited.
- Halifax is the province's largest city, with most jobs and services, but life there is mainly in English.
- Provincial nominee program details are on the Nova Scotia Immigration website; it blocks automated access, so open it in a browser to check.
Note How much French is used varies a lot between regions of the province. Research the specific community you plan to move to, not just the province.
The 12 provinces and territories outside Quebec
Bilingual New Brunswick
Manitoba and St-Boniface