Media Consumption in Canada: Are Canadians in the Know?

Release date: March 28, 2023
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Infographic: Media Consumption in Canada: Are Canadians in the Know?
Description: Media Consumption in Canada: Are Canadians in the Know?

Following the news is an activity that more than half of Canadians do on a daily basis. There are different ways to follow news and current affairs. Using data from the 2020 General Social Survey on Social Identity, this infographic explores five different news sources: newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the Internet.

The most common method for following news and current affairs was the Internet, followed by television.

  • Internet: 80%
  • Television: 67%
  • Radio: 40%
  • Newspapers: 36%
  • Magazines: 11%

Those with a university degree were more likely than those with no university degree to report using the Internet, newspapers and magazines to follow news and current affairs.

  • Internet: 90%
  • Newspapers: 46%
  • Magazines: 17%

Among immigrants, the more time they were in Canada, the more they used media to follow news and currents affairs daily.
Table summary
This table displays the results of Among immigrants 0 to 5 years since immigrating to Canada, 6 to 10 years since immigrating to Canada, 11 or more years since immigrating to Canada and Not an immigrant (appearing as column headers).
0 to 5 years since immigrating to Canada 6 to 10 years since immigrating to Canada 11 or more years since immigrating to Canada Not an immigrant
Daily use 39% 40% 58% 60%

The Internet was most popular among those aged 15 to 34, while those 55 years and older preferred television to follow news and current affairs.
Table summary
This table displays the results of The Internet was most popular among those aged 15 to 34 15 to 34 years, 35 to 54 years and 55 years and older (appearing as column headers).
15 to 34 years 35 to 54 years 55 years and older
Internet 95% 87% 63%
Television 45% 65% 88%

Internet

While there were no gender differences in the youngest age group for Internet use, more men than women in the older age groups reported using the Internet to follow news and current affairs. Among those aged 55 years and older, 67% of men and 59% of women reported using the Internet.

Television


Television was more popular among women than men in all age groups to follow news and current affairs.
Table summary
This table displays the results of Television was more popular among women than men in all age groups to follow news and current affairs. 15 to 34 years, 35 to 54 years and 55 years and older (appearing as column headers).
15 to 34 years 35 to 54 years 55 years and older
Women 50% 66% 89%
Men 42% 63% 86%

Notes:

  • Data in this infographic are for individuals aged 15 and older living in Canada’s 10 provinces.
  • Newspapers, magazines, television, and radio include both print copy/conventional and online formats. Internet includes social media, news aggregator sites, and podcasts.

Source: Statistics Canada, General Social Survey – Social Identity, 2020.

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2023

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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