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.