Knowledge of official languages

Proportion of the population able to conduct a conversation in:

1. English only;
2. French only;
3. Both official languages;
4. Neither official language.

This indicator is measured in a number of Statistics Canada surveys, including the Census of Population and the Canadian Social Survey (CSS).

In the Census of Population, respondents are asked:

Can this person speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

• English only
• French only
• Both English and French
• Neither English nor French

In the CSS, respondents are asked:

Can you speak English or French well enough to conduct a conversation?

• English only
• French only
• Both English and French
• Neither English nor French

This indicator is measured through multiple Statistics Canada surveys. Estimates can vary between data sources due to differences in reference periods, targeted or sampled populations, data collection and other methodology.

• Census of Population
• Canadian Social Survey (CSS)
• Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
• General Social Survey (GSS) - Canadians' Safety (Victimization)
• General Social Survey (GSS) - Giving, Volunteering and Participating
• General Social Survey (GSS) - Social Identity
• Time Use Survey

For products related to knowledge of official languages, including data tables, data visualizations, articles, and other product types see Analytical releases: Knowledge of official languages or view all analytical releases.

This indicator aligns with the following frameworks:

• Social inclusion indicators for Canada's ethnocultural groups
  • Education and skills development
    • Knowledge of official languages, English only
    • Knowledge of official languages, French only
    • Knowledge of official languages, English and French

For more information on language variables, including information on their classifications, the questions from which they are derived, data quality and their comparability with other sources of data, please refer to the Languages Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

The Ethnicity, Language and Immigration Thematic Series combines different statistical products related to ethnicity, languages and immigration. It features various analytical documents of varying scopes, population profiles, reference materials as well as data products such as tables and factsheets.

The video Knowledge of official and non-official languages presents the census questions on knowledge of official and non-official languages. It also helps users understand how variables on knowledge of official and non-official languages are created and how they are disseminated and analyzed.

For the most recent data tables, analyses and references on languages in Canada, pleasure refer to the Languages statistics page.