Instruction in the minority official language: Parents’ intentions for their children

Release date: December 16, 2024

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Infographic: Instruction in the minority official language: Parents’ intentions for their children — Description: Instruction in the minority official language: Parents’ intentions for their children

In 2022, two-thirds (66%) of parents in the official language minority population intended to enrol their children in a minority official language elementary school^{Note 1} (71%) or high school^{Note 2} (64%).

Percentage of parents who intended^{Note 3} to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level, 2022 Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage of parents who intended to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level, calculated using (appearing as column headers).

Elementary school High school

Note *

To be interpreted with caution as the margin of error for these data points is higher than ±7 percentage points.

Return to note * referrer

Canada 71% 64%

Canada outside Quebec 75% 63%

Quebec 66% 66%

Atlantic provinces excluding New Brunswick 74% 61% ^{Percentage of parents who intended3 to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level Note *}

New Brunswick 92% 87%

Ontario 77% 65%

Western provinces 66% 54%

Territory capitals 86% ^{Percentage of parents who intended3 to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level Note *} 70%

In Quebec, 80% of teenagers^{Note 4} in a minority situation who were considering doing postsecondary studies intended to enrol in a program offered in the minority language or a bilingual program, versus 27% of teenagers in Canada outside Quebec.

**Main reasons why parents intended to enrol their children in a minority or majority official language elementary school or high school**

Minority official language school Table summary
The information is grouped by Quebec (appearing as row headers), , calculated using (appearing as column headers).

Quebec Canada outside Quebec

**64%**: Their child is entitled to attend an English school **66%**: They want their child to become bilingual

**50%**: They want their child to become bilingual **64%**: It is important that the child study in French

**46%**: It is important that the child study in English **62%**: Their child is entitled to attend French school

Majority official language school Table summary
The information is grouped by Quebec (appearing as row headers), , calculated using (appearing as column headers).

Quebec Canada outside Quebec

**48%**: They want their child to become bilingual **38%**: The child is more comfortable in English

**42%**: It is important that the child study in French **31%**: The child does not know French well enough

**37%**: They want their child to maintain their French skills **23%**: It is important that the child study in English

**Source:** Pépin-Filion, D., L. Cornelissen and É. Lemyre, 2024, “Situation of English-speaking populations in Quebec and French speaking populations in Canada outside Quebec: Results of the 2022 Survey on the Official Language Minority Population,” *Ethnicity, Language and Immigration Thematic Series*, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 89-657-X 2024008.

Notes

Footnote 1.

Children under 5 years who did not attend elementary school yet.

Return to note 1 referrer

Footnote 2.

Children who were in elementary or middle school, but not yet in high school.

Return to note 2 referrer

Footnote 3.

Percentage of parents who said it was “very likely” or “likely” that they will enrol their child in a minority language school.

Return to note 3 referrer

Footnote 4.

Teenagers aged 14 to 17 years.

Return to note 4 referrer

Percentage of parents who intended^{Note 3} to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level, 2022 Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage of parents who intended to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level, calculated using (appearing as column headers).
	Elementary school	High school
Note * To be interpreted with caution as the margin of error for these data points is higher than ±7 percentage points. Return to note * referrer
Canada	71%	64%
Canada outside Quebec	75%	63%
Quebec	66%	66%
Atlantic provinces excluding New Brunswick	74%	61% ^{Percentage of parents who intended3 to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level Note *}
New Brunswick	92%	87%
Ontario	77%	65%
Western provinces	66%	54%
Territory capitals	86% ^{Percentage of parents who intended3 to enrol their children in a minority official language school, by education level Note *}	70%

Minority official language school Table summary
The information is grouped by Quebec (appearing as row headers), , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
Quebec	Canada outside Quebec
64%: Their child is entitled to attend an English school	66%: They want their child to become bilingual
50%: They want their child to become bilingual	64%: It is important that the child study in French
46%: It is important that the child study in English	62%: Their child is entitled to attend French school

Majority official language school Table summary
The information is grouped by Quebec (appearing as row headers), , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
Quebec	Canada outside Quebec
48%: They want their child to become bilingual	38%: The child is more comfortable in English
42%: It is important that the child study in French	31%: The child does not know French well enough
37%: They want their child to maintain their French skills	23%: It is important that the child study in English

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

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

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified:: 2024-12-16

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Instruction in the minority official language: Parents’ intentions for their children