Infographic: What Canadians think about bilingualism and the Official Languages Act

Text version: What Canadians think about bilingualism and the Official Languages Act
Bilingualism for all of Canada
Region | Bilingualism for all of Canada |
---|---|
Canada overall | 84% |
British Columbia | 82% |
Alberta | 82% |
Prairies | 80% |
Ontario | 80% |
Quebec | 93% |
Atlantic | 86% |
- 90% of 18 to 34 year olds favour bilingualism for all of Canada
- 84% of 35 to 54 year olds favour bilingualism for all of Canada
- 79% of 55 and older favour bilingualism for all of Canada
Individual Bilingualism of Respondents
Statement | Percentage |
---|---|
Conversant | 32% |
Fluent | 16% |
Don’t know / Refused to answer | 1% |
Not able to converse | 51% |
Canadians Agree
- 96% agree: Federal services should be in English and French
- 87% Agree: Ottawa, the nation’s capital, should be recognized as officially bilingual
- 82% agree: The 150th celebration is an opportunity to promote Canada’s two official languages
- 86% agree: The prime minister of Canada should be bilingual
- 74% agree: Federal cabinet ministers should be bilingual
- 81% agree: Supreme Court judges should be bilingual
Advantages of Bilingualism
- Job opportunities: 95% of respondents
- Provide better service: 94% of respondents
- Meet Canadians who speak the other official language: 89% of respondents
- Travel abroad: 89% of respondents
- Become familiar with another culture: 88% of respondents
8 in 10 Canadians Agree
- “
Having two official languages has made Canada a more welcoming place for immigrants from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
” - “
Because English and French are part of our history, it makes sense that they have equal status.
” - “
Having two official languages is one of the things that really defines Canada.
” - “
Having two official languages has made Canada a more welcoming place for immigrants from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
”
88% Support the Aims of the Official Languages Act
Support according to language of respondents * | Strongly support | Somewhat support |
---|---|---|
Bilingual | 68% | 25% |
Unilingual | 44% | 41% |
French | 70% | 23% |
English | 51% | 36% |
*Note: Main official language
Survey conducted by Nielson for the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages in February and March, 2016. The telephone survey results have a margin of error at the national level of +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
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Date modified:
2020-09-18