English-French Bilingualism

English-French bilingualism rose markedly in Canada between 1951 and 1996. The number of bilingual Canadians more than doubled during that period, rising from 1.7 million to 4.8 million, while their proportion rose from 12% to 17% (Figure 1 below).

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Figure 1. Percentage Change in English-French Bilingualism, Canada and Quebec, 1951 to 1996

In 1996, the rate of English-French bilingualism was highest in Quebec (38%) and New Brunswick (33%). In all other provinces and territories, bilingualism was considerably lower than the national rate of 17% (Figure 2 below).

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Figure 2. Population with English-French Bilingualism, Provinces and Territories, 1996

However, the rate of bilingualism increased nearly everywhere in the country in the five-year period before the last census. Between 1991 and 1996, the proportion of the population that was bilingual grew in all provinces and territories, except Saskatchewan where it remained constant.

The majority of bilingual persons live in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia and New Brunswick. In 1996, some 90% of all bilingual persons in Canada lived in these four provinces. More than half (55%) were in Quebec, with the largest concentration in the Montreal census metropolitan area. In Ontario and New Brunswick, it is mainly in the municipalities bordering Quebec that one finds large proportions of bilingual persons. The proximity of the two official language groups is a major reason for the high rate of bilingualism in these areas. In British Columbia, more than half of bilingual persons lived in the Vancouver census metropolitan area.

Four of every 10 francophones bilingual¹

Across the country, 41% of francophones were bilingual, almost five times higher than the proportion of anglophones (9%). The rate of bilingualism of francophones living outside Quebec was even higher (84%) compared to 7% for anglophones. In contrast, the proportion of bilingual anglophones living in Quebec (62%) was almost twice that of francophones in that province (34%).

The rate of bilingualism varied considerably by age group for anglophones and francophones. The difference reflects the manner in which the two populations learn a second language.

In the case of Quebec francophones, the job market plays an important role in learning English as a second language. Hence, the rate of bilingualism reached a peak (48%) in the age group 20 to 24, ages corresponding to high labour market participation. The rate stayed high in subsequent age groups.

For anglophones outside Quebec, school is the main place for learning French as a second language. Consequently, the highest rate of bilingualism (16%) was in the age group 15 to 19, the secondary school years. The rate was lower in older age groups, as French immersion was less popular or non-existent during their school years.

In the case of persons whose mother tongue was neither English nor French, their rate of English-French bilingualism remained almost the same between 1991 and 1996. About 47% of allophones who lived in Quebec were bilingual in 1996, almost nine times higher than the rate among allophones in the other provinces and territories.

About 69% of Quebec allophones were able to speak French in 1996. This was a slightly higher proportion than those who were able to speak English (66%), and represents a significant change from 1971 when 47% of allophones were able to speak French and 69% were able to speak English. Outside Quebec, 90% of allophones were able to speak English in 1996, compared with 5% who were able to speak French.

¹Source: The Daily, Statistics Canada, Tuesday December 2, 1997.

The text for Official Languages is based on the following publication:

Marmen, Louise and Jean-Pierre Corbeil. Languages in Canada: 1996 Census. New Canadian Perspectives Series. Ottawa: Canadian Heritage, and Statistics Canada, 1999. Catalogue number: CH3-2-8/1999.

To properly interpret this map, please consult the text Data and Mapping Notes.

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• Knowledge of French Map | Read about this map
• Mother Tongue (English) Map | Read about this map
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