Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016
8 Montréal Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)
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8.1 First official language spoken (FOLS)
| First official language spoken | 2011 | 2016 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-immigrants | Immigrants | Total population |
Non-immigrants | Immigrants | Total population |
|||
| Total immigrants |
Recent 2006 to 2011 |
Total immigrants |
Recent 2011 to 2016 |
|||||
| number | ||||||||
| English | 500,070 | 323,430 | 57,795 | 847,950 | 525,520 | 329,830 | 50,520 | 885,605 |
| French | 2,435,295 | 487,320 | 123,680 | 2,954,255 | 2,461,790 | 563,140 | 118,625 | 3,062,830 |
| Neither | 16,530 | 38,745 | 8,800 | 57,900 | 15,315 | 43,335 | 10,130 | 61,355 |
| Total | 2,951,885 | 849,480 | 190,270 | 3,860,100 | 3,002,625 | 936,305 | 179,270 | 4,009,790 |
| percent | ||||||||
| English | 16.9 | 38.1 | 30.4 | 22.0 | 17.5 | 35.2 | 28.2 | 22.1 |
| French | 82.5 | 57.4 | 65.0 | 76.5 | 82.0 | 60.1 | 66.2 | 76.4 |
| Neither | 0.6 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 4.6 | 5.7 | 1.5 |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
|
Notes: The “English-French” category has been equally redistributed between the “English” and “French” categories. Data on non-permanent residents are only included in the "Total population". Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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Over one third (35.2%) of immigrants had English as their first official language spoken
In Montréal, 6 in 10 immigrants (60.1%) had French as their first official language spoken (FOLS) in 2016, compared with 35.2% who had English, and 4.6% who had neither language.
Of the 179,300 recent immigrants who settled in Montréal between 2011 and 2016, 66.2% (118,600 people) had French as their FOLS, 28.2% (50,500 people) had English, and 5.7% (10,100 people) had neither language.
Decline in the proportion of immigrants who had English as their first official language spoken
Between 2011 and 2016, the percentage of immigrants who had English as their FOLS fell from 38.1% to 35.2%, while the proportion of immigrants whose FOLS is French rose from 57.4% to 60.1%. The share of those who had neither of these two languages as their FOLS was 4.6% in 2016, the same as in 2011.
The proportion of recent immigrants who had English as their FOLS declined between 2011 and 2016, from 30.4% to 28.2%. However, the proportion of those whose FOLS is French rose from 65.0% to 66.2% over this period. The percentage of those who had neither English nor French as their FOLS also grew over this period, from 4.6% to 5.7%. The growth in the latter group is likely due to the increase in the number of refugees who arrived in the country during this period.
Higher proportion of immigrants with English as their first official language spoken than non-immigrants
In 2016, 35.2% of all immigrants had English as their FOLS, a higher proportion than for recent immigrants (28.2%) and twice that of non-immigrants (17.5%). Furthermore, 60.1% of all immigrants had French as their FOLS, which was lower than for recent immigrants (66.2%), and much lower than for non-immigrants (82.0%).
8.2 Mother tongue
| Mother tongue | 2011 | 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recent 2006 to 2011 |
Established before 2006 |
Total | Recent 2011 to 2016 |
Established before 2011 | Total | |
| number | ||||||
| English | 10,255 | 58,000 | 68,250 | 9,565 | 60,875 | 70,440 |
| French | 36,745 | 104,505 | 141,250 | 44,505 | 137,285 | 181,785 |
| Other languages | 143,280 | 496,705 | 639,990 | 125,195 | 558,890 | 684,080 |
| Total | 190,270 | 659,215 | 849,485 | 179,270 | 757,035 | 936,305 |
| percent | ||||||
| English | 5.4 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 5.3 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| French | 19.3 | 15.9 | 16.6 | 24.8 | 18.1 | 19.4 |
| Other languages | 75.3 | 75.3 | 75.3 | 69.8 | 73.8 | 73.1 |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
|
Notes: The “Other languages” category refers to languages other than English and French. These include Aboriginal, immigrant and sign languages. Multiple responses have been equally redistributed between the “English”, “French” and “Other languages” categories. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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Close to 7 in 10 recent immigrants reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue
In Montréal, 69.8% of recent immigrants reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue in 2016, down from 2011 (75.3%). Similarly, the proportion of established immigrants who reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue decreased from 75.3% in 2011 to 73.8% in 2016.
Increase in the share of recent immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue
Between 2011 and 2016, the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is French increased from 19.3% to 24.8%, while the share of recent immigrants with English as their mother tongue remained practically unchanged, edging down from 5.4% to 5.3%.
Decrease in the proportion of established immigrants with an English mother tongue
The proportion of established immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue also increased, from 15.9% in 2011 to 18.1% in 2016. In contrast, the percentage of those who reported that English was their mother tongue decreased from 8.8% to 8.0% during this period.
The higher share of immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue is largely attributable to the increasing number of immigrants from France and countries where French is one of the official languages.
8.3 Language spoken most often at home
| Language spoken most often at home | 2011 | 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recent 2006 to 2011 |
Established before 2006 |
Total | Recent 2011 to 2016 |
Established before 2011 | Total | |
| number | ||||||
| English | 20,030 | 132,110 | 152,135 | 18,205 | 140,920 | 159,120 |
| French | 66,790 | 206,335 | 273,120 | 70,800 | 260,730 | 331,520 |
| Other languages | 103,450 | 320,775 | 424,225 | 90,250 | 355,395 | 445,665 |
| Total | 190,270 | 659,215 | 849,485 | 179,270 | 757,035 | 936,305 |
| percent | ||||||
| English | 10.5 | 20.0 | 17.9 | 10.2 | 18.6 | 17.0 |
| French | 35.1 | 31.3 | 32.2 | 39.5 | 34.4 | 35.4 |
| Other languages | 54.4 | 48.7 | 49.9 | 50.3 | 46.9 | 47.6 |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
|
Notes: The “Other languages” category refers to languages other than English and French. These include Aboriginal, immigrant and sign languages. Multiple responses have been equally redistributed between the “English”, “French” and “Other languages” categories. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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In 2016, 7.5% of immigrants in Montréal reported English as their mother tongue, while more than twice as many (17.0%) reported speaking mainly English at home in 2016. Similarly, 35.4% of immigrants reported that they spoke French most often at home, compared with 19.4% of them who reported that French was their mother tongue.
More than half of immigrants reported speaking French or English most often at home
In 2016, more than half (52.4%) of immigrants reported speaking French or English most often at home, compared with 50.1% in 2011. The proportion of immigrants who spoke French most often at home increased from 32.2% in 2011 to 35.4% in 2016. In contrast, the share of immigrants who reported speaking mainly English at home fell from 17.9% to 17.0% during this period.
Half of recent immigrants reported speaking a language other than English or French most often at home
In 2016, 50.3% of recent immigrants reported that they mainly spoke a language other than English or French at home, a lower percentage than in 2011 (54.4%). Similarly, the proportion of recent immigrants who reported speaking English most often at home edged down from 10.5% in 2011 to 10.2% in 2016. In contrast, the percentage of recent immigrants who spoke French most often at home increased from 35.1% to 39.5% during this period.
8.4 Knowledge of official languages by mother tongue
| Mother tongue | Knowledge of official languages | 2011 | 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recent 2006 to 2011 |
Established before 2006 |
Total Immigrants |
Recent 2011 to 2016 |
Established before 2011 | Total Immigrants |
||
| percent | |||||||
| English | English | 47.8 | 47.9 | 47.9 | 47.0 | 47.9 | 47.8 |
| French | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | |
| English and French | 48.8 | 51.3 | 50.9 | 49.9 | 51.2 | 51.0 | |
| Neither | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
| French | English | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| French | 49.0 | 35.1 | 38.7 | 49.2 | 36.8 | 39.8 | |
| English and French | 50.2 | 64.4 | 60.7 | 50.5 | 62.8 | 59.8 | |
| Neither | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
| Other languages | English | 17.0 | 18.3 | 18.0 | 17.4 | 17.2 | 17.2 |
| French | 36.0 | 23.8 | 26.5 | 36.1 | 26.4 | 28.2 | |
| English and French | 40.7 | 51.8 | 49.3 | 38.5 | 50.4 | 48.2 | |
| Neither | 6.3 | 6.1 | 6.1 | 8.1 | 6.0 | 6.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
| Total | English | 15.4 | 18.0 | 17.5 | 14.7 | 16.6 | 16.2 |
| French | 36.7 | 23.6 | 26.5 | 37.5 | 26.2 | 28.4 | |
| English and French | 43.0 | 53.8 | 51.4 | 42.0 | 52.7 | 50.7 | |
| Neither | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 4.4 | 4.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
|
Notes: Multiples responses have been equally redistributed between the “English”, “French” and “Other languages” categories. The “Other languages” category refers to languages other than English and French. These include Aboriginal, immigrant and sign languages. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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More than 9 out of 10 recent immigrants could conduct a conversation in French or English
In Montréal, 94.3% of the 179,300 recent immigrants reported being able to conduct a conversation in French or English in 2016, down slightly from 2011 (95.2%).Note 1 This means that 5.7% of recent immigrants reported in 2016 that they could not conduct a conversation in either of the country’s official languages, up from 2011 (4.9%). In 2016, 14.7% of these immigrants could conduct a conversation in English only, 37.5% in French only, and 42.0% in French and English.
Thus, the share of recent immigrants who could conduct a conversation in English (English + English and French) was 56.7% in 2016, down from 2011 (58.4%).
The increase in the proportion of immigrants who reported knowing neither English nor French is likely due to the increase in the number of refugees, particularly among recent immigrants with a mother tongue other than English or French.
A small share (4.4%) of established immigrants could not conduct a conversation in English or French
Among the 757,000 established immigrants, 95.6% could conduct a conversation in English or French in 2016, a share that has remained relatively unchanged from 2011 (95.4%). In 2016, 16.6% of these immigrants knew English only, 26.2% French only, and 52.7% English and French. Thus, 4.4% of these immigrants could not conduct a conversation in English or French, a share that has remained relatively unchanged from 2011 (4.6%).
The share of established immigrants who could conduct a conversation in English (English + English and French) was 69.3% in 2016, down from 2011 (71.8%).
Increase in English–French bilingualism among recent immigrants whose mother tongue is English
The rate of English–French bilingualism among recent immigrants whose mother tongue is English increased slightly, from 48.8% in 2011 to 49.9% in 2016. Conversely, the proportion among those who reported they could conduct a conversation only in English (and not in French) decreased slightly during this period, going from 47.8% to 47.0%.
In 2016, 38.5% of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French reported being bilingual (English–French), down from 2011 (40.7%). The share of those who reported they could conduct a conversation only in French (and not in English) changed little, edging up from 36.0% in 2011 to 36.1% in 2016.
Increase in the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French who could not conduct a conversation in English or French
Between 2011 and 2016, the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French who knew only English (and not French) increased from 17.0% to 17.4%, while the share of those who knew neither English nor French increased more, from 6.3% to 8.1%.
Half of recent immigrants with French as their mother tongue reported they could conduct a conversation in English
The self-reported ability of recent immigrants with French as their mother tongue to conduct a conversation in English (English + English and French) increased slightly between 2011 and 2016, from 50.4% to 50.6%.
8.5 Top countries of birth of immigrants
8.5.A Recent immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | Algeria | 16,800 | 15.7 |
| 2 | Morocco | 13,330 | 12.4 | |
| 3 | Haiti | 11,870 | 11.1 | |
| 4 | France | 11,745 | 10.9 | |
| 5 | Lebanon | 3,495 | 3.3 | |
| 6 | Mexico | 3,460 | 3.2 | |
| 7 | Colombia | 3,250 | 3.0 | |
| 8 | Cameroon | 2,570 | 2.4 | |
| 9 | Tunisia | 2,480 | 2.3 | |
| 10 | Côte d'Ivoire | 2,345 | 2.2 | |
| Total | 71,345 | 66.5 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | France | 14,810 | 14.2 |
| 2 | Haiti | 14,420 | 13.8 | |
| 3 | Algeria | 13,670 | 13.1 | |
| 4 | Morocco | 9,825 | 9.4 | |
| 5 | Cameroon | 5,280 | 5.1 | |
| 6 | Tunisia | 3,755 | 3.6 | |
| 7 | Côte d'Ivoire | 3,630 | 3.5 | |
| 8 | Colombia | 2,835 | 2.7 | |
| 9 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2,005 | 1.9 | |
| 10 | Moldova | 1,985 | 1.9 | |
| Total | 72,215 | 69.3 | ||
This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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Top countries of origin
In 2016, half (50.6%)Note 2 of recent immigrants whose first official language spoken was French were born in France (14.2%), Haiti (13.8%), Algeria (13.1%) or Morocco (9.4%). In 2011, this proportion was 50.1%. In 2016, as in 2011, these countries were the top four countries of origin of these immigrants.
Nearly two thirds of recent immigrants were from France, Haiti or Africa
In 2016, 64.7% of French-speakingNote 3 recent immigrants were from France, Haiti or Africa, compared with 57.0% in 2011.
France and Haiti’s share increased from 22.0% in 2011 to 28.0% in 2016, while Africa’s share rose from 35.0% to 36.6% over this period.
In 2016, 6 of the top 10 countries of birth of recent immigrants whose first official language spoken is French were in Africa, compared with 5 in 2011.
8.5.B Established immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | Haiti | 46,745 | 15.5 |
| 2 | France | 34,235 | 11.3 | |
| 3 | Morocco | 22,915 | 7.6 | |
| 4 | Algeria | 21,920 | 7.2 | |
| 5 | Italy | 21,905 | 7.2 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | 14,745 | 4.9 | |
| 7 | Viet Nam | 9,665 | 3.2 | |
| 8 | Portugal | 8,805 | 2.9 | |
| 9 | Egypt | 7,260 | 2.4 | |
| 10 | Romania | 6,870 | 2.3 | |
| Total | 195,065 | 64.5 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | Haiti | 55,440 | 14.8 |
| 2 | France | 40,600 | 10.8 | |
| 3 | Morocco | 36,745 | 9.8 | |
| 4 | Algeria | 34,910 | 9.3 | |
| 5 | Italy | 18,395 | 4.9 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | 16,470 | 4.4 | |
| 7 | Viet Nam | 9,225 | 2.5 | |
| 8 | Portugal | 9,185 | 2.4 | |
| 9 | Romania | 8,740 | 2.3 | |
| 10 | Egypt | 6,885 | 1.8 | |
| Total | 236,595 | 63.0 | ||
This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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The proportion of French-speaking established immigrants from Europe (excluding France) decreased 2.8 percentage points, from 12.4% in 2011 to 9.7% in 2016. In contrast, the share of immigrants from non-European countries rose 1.8 percentage points during this period, going from 40.7% to 42.5%.
8.5.C Recent immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | Philippines | 5,910 | 14.3 |
| 2 | China | 4,625 | 11.2 | |
| 3 | United States | 2,895 | 7.0 | |
| 4 | India | 2,195 | 5.3 | |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 1,400 | 3.4 | |
| 6 | Iran | 1,305 | 3.2 | |
| 7 | Pakistan | 1,295 | 3.1 | |
| 8 | Mexico | 1,195 | 2.9 | |
| 9 | Egypt | 1,145 | 2.8 | |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 1,020 | 2.5 | |
| Total | 22,985 | 55.5 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | Philippines | 4,745 | 13.1 |
| 2 | China | 4,140 | 11.5 | |
| 3 | Iran | 2,860 | 7.9 | |
| 4 | India | 2,140 | 5.9 | |
| 5 | United States | 2,065 | 5.7 | |
| 6 | Syria | 2,060 | 5.7 | |
| 7 | Egypt | 1,375 | 3.8 | |
| 8 | Pakistan | 1,005 | 2.8 | |
| 9 | Lebanon | 690 | 1.9 | |
| 10 | United Kingdom | 625 | 1.7 | |
| Total | 21,705 | 60.1 | ||
This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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Top countries of origin
In 2016, nearly one third (32.5%) of recent immigrants whose first official language spoken is English were born in the Philippines (13.1%), China (11.5%) or Iran (7.9%). India, the United States, Syria, Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon and the United Kingdom round out the list of countries of origin most frequently reported by these immigrants in 2016.
In 2016, 48.9% of English-speaking recent immigrants were from Asia (including the Middle East), compared with 42.9% in 2011.
In 2016, as in 2011, 7 of the top 10 countries of birth of English-speaking recent immigrants were Asian countries (including those in the Middle East).
8.5.D Established immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | Italy | 14,900 | 7.3 |
| 2 | Philippines | 13,305 | 6.5 | |
| 3 | Greece | 13,105 | 6.4 | |
| 4 | China | 12,890 | 6.3 | |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 10,385 | 5.1 | |
| 6 | India | 10,175 | 5.0 | |
| 7 | United States | 9,615 | 4.7 | |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 6,870 | 3.4 | |
| 9 | Poland | 5,465 | 2.7 | |
| 10 | Lebanon | 5,170 | 2.5 | |
| Total | 101,880 | 49.8 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | Philippines | 16,270 | 7.7 |
| 2 | China | 14,390 | 6.8 | |
| 3 | Italy | 14,140 | 6.7 | |
| 4 | Greece | 11,355 | 5.4 | |
| 5 | India | 10,930 | 5.2 | |
| 6 | United States | 9,980 | 4.7 | |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 9,200 | 4.4 | |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 6,960 | 3.3 | |
| 9 | Pakistan | 5,215 | 2.5 | |
| 10 | Lebanon | 5,095 | 2.4 | |
| Total | 103,535 | 49.2 | ||
This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population. |
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Increase in the proportion of immigrants from Asian countries (including the Middle East) and decrease in the proportion of immigrants from Europe and the United States
Between 2011 and 2016, the share of English-speaking established immigrants from Asia (including the Middle East) rose 4.3 percentage points, from 23.7% to 28.0%. In contrast, the proportion of immigrants from Europe and the United States fell 4.9 percentage points, from 26.2% in 2011 to 21.2% in 2016.
Notes
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