In 1665 Louis XIV was looking for an intendant for Canada and Jean was nominated.

On 23 March 1665 he was given his commission, and on 24 May he sailed for New France on board the Saint-Sébastien. Jean Talon did not have any easy road ahead of him. Canada was in a struggle with the Iroquois, who were very violent. They were taking over the colony in Canada and nearly wiping it out. The fur trade, the economic situation of the country, and the future of the colony was at risk. Jean was expected to help the situation.

Talon started by bringing brides to New France (les filles du roi) and he encouraged the people to clear more land and try new crops like hemp and flax which they could use to make rope and linen cloth.

He also started the first brewery, opened a tannery, developed a shipbuilding industry and encouraged the people to raise more livestock like pigs, cattle, sheep and horses. These efforts resulted in the colony growing from 3000 to 7000. His success increased the amount of cultivated land by doube, and new industries had been begun.