What were some of the major policies brought in by Intendant Jean Talon in order to increase population growth  ?

Jean Talon was appointed Intendant of New France (1665-l672) by King Louis XIV. During
this period, the population of the colony doubled from 3215 in 1666 to more than 7000 in 1672.
New France's population increased through immigration and a high birth rate.

Immigration Policies
Three types of immigrants settled in New France:
  • Les filles du roi about 900 orphan girls sent over by the King

    • because of the shortage of women in the colony. In 1666, when the first census was taken, there was one woman for every sixteen men in the colony.
  • Soldiers who came with the Carignan-Salières Regiment were

    • offered free land after having completed their military service.
  • Les engagés(hired workers) who agreed to come and work

    • in New France for 3 years.
Between 1663 and 1670, about 2500 immigrants settled in New France. 
However, New France did not attract many immigrants because of the cold climate, fear of Iroquois attacks and a long, difficult trip from France. Furthermore, France was not interested in depopulating her own population in order to populate the colony. Consequently most of 
New France's population growth stemmed from a high birth rate.                                                                                                  (more)