Can I come back to Canada with an expired passport?

Here is what will happen if you fly:

Canada’s new entry requirement

A new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), is now in effect for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to or transiting through Canada by air. To make sure travelling to Canada stays easy and stress free, leniency will be shown to travellers who are caught unaware until November 9, 2016.

Travel documents you will need

Starting November 10, 2016, you will need to show proof you are a Canadian citizen to travel to Canada by air.

Travel documents that prove citizenship are:

• a valid Canadian passport;
• a Canadian temporary passport; or
• a Canadian emergency travel document.

Note: Temporary passports and emergency travel documents are only issued under strict conditions and on a case-by-case basis.

If you don’t have a valid travel document that proves your Canadian citizenship at check-in, you may not be able to board your flight.

If this happens to you:

There are no quick fixes to help you get on your flight.

You will need to contact the nearest Government of Canada office abroad to get the appropriate travel document.

Be prepared: Renew or apply for a Canadian passport as soon as you can before November 9, 2016. Find out how long it takes to get a passport and plan your travel accordingly. It also takes time if you need to get documents such as a proof of Canadian citizenship and or supporting identification documents.

So you can try to set up eTA to Canada on your French passport, which technically looks to be illegal. And get an ESTA as well but I would rather expedite your Canadian passport and be done with it.