Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016
9 Ottawa–Gatineau Census Metropolitan Area (CMA), Quebec part
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9.1 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 | 41,035 | 11,815 | 2,075 | 53,230 | 44,510 | 12,895 | 2,060 | 58,150 |
| French | 240,620 | 18,000 | 5,270 | 259,350 | 244,325 | 22,055 | 5,065 | 267,550 |
| Neither | 345 | 1,150 | 440 | 1,555 | 470 | 1,140 | 525 | 1,695 |
| Total | 282,010 | 30,955 | 7,785 | 314,130 | 289,305 | 36,090 | 7,645 | 327,385 |
| percent | ||||||||
| English | 14.6 | 38.2 | 26.7 | 16.9 | 15.4 | 35.7 | 26.9 | 17.8 |
| French | 85.3 | 58.1 | 67.7 | 82.6 | 84.5 | 61.1 | 66.3 | 81.7 |
| Neither | 0.1 | 3.7 | 5.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 3.2 | 6.9 | 0.5 |
| 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 of immigrants had English as their first official language spoken
In Gatineau, 6 in 10 immigrants (61.1%) had French as their FOLS in 2016, compared with 35.7% who had English, and 3.2% who had neither language.
Of the 7,600 recent immigrants who settled in Gatineau between 2011 and 2016, 66.3% (5,100 people) had French as their FOLS, 26.9% (2,100 people) had English, and 6.9% (500 people) had neither language.
Decrease in the proportion of immigrants with English as their first official language spoken
Between 2011 and 2016, the percentage of immigrants who had English as their FOLS fell from 38.2% to 35.7%, while the proportion with French as their FOLS rose from 58.1% to 61.1%. Those who had neither of these two languages as their FOLS represented 3.2% in 2016, down from 3.7% in 2011.
The proportion of recent immigrants who had English as their FOLS was 26.9% in 2016, which remained practically unchanged from 2011 (26.7%). However, the share of recent immigrants whose FOLS is French was down slightly, falling from 67.7% to 66.3% over this period. In contrast, the proportion of those who had neither English nor French as their FOLS grew from 5.7% to 6.9%. 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.
Lower percentage of immigrants with French as their first official language spoken than non-immigrants
In 2016, 35.7% of all immigrants had English as their FOLS. This share was higher than that of recent immigrants (26.9%) and considerably higher than that of non-immigrants (15.4%). Moreover, 61.1% of all immigrants had French as their FOLS, which was lower than for recent immigrants (66.3%), and much lower than for non-immigrants (84.5%).
9.2 Mother tongue
| Mother tongue | 2011 | 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recent 2006 to 2011 |
Established before 2006 |
Total | Recent 2011 to 2016 |
Established before 2011 | Total | |
| number | ||||||
| English | 410 | 2,590 | 2,995 | 540 | 2,565 | 3,105 |
| French | 1,835 | 4,775 | 6,605 | 2,200 | 6,395 | 8,600 |
| Other languages | 5,535 | 15,820 | 21,355 | 4,905 | 19,485 | 24,390 |
| Total | 7,785 | 23,170 | 30,955 | 7,645 | 28,455 | 36,090 |
| percent | ||||||
| English | 5.3 | 11.2 | 9.7 | 7.1 | 9.0 | 8.6 |
| French | 23.6 | 20.6 | 21.3 | 28.8 | 22.5 | 23.8 |
| Other languages | 71.1 | 68.3 | 69.0 | 64.2 | 68.5 | 67.6 |
| 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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Nearly two thirds of recent immigrants reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue
In Gatineau, 64.2% of recent immigrants reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue in 2016, down from 2011 (71.1%). The proportion of established immigrants who reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue changed very little during this period, edging up from 68.3% to 68.5%.
Increase in the proportion of recent immigrants with an English mother tongue
Between 2011 and 2016, the share of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is French increased from 23.6% to 28.8%. Similarly, the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is English rose from 5.3% to 7.1% during this period.
Decrease in the share of established immigrants who reported English as their mother tongue
The proportion of established immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue also increased from 20.6% in 2011 to 22.5% in 2016. In contrast, the percentage of those who reported that English was their mother tongue fell from 11.2% to 9.0% during this period.
The increase in the proportion 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.
9.3 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 | 805 | 5,475 | 6,280 | 1,035 | 6,330 | 7,375 |
| French | 3,235 | 8,835 | 12,070 | 3,265 | 11,585 | 14,860 |
| Other languages | 3,745 | 8,860 | 12,605 | 3,335 | 10,530 | 13,875 |
| Total | 7,785 | 23,170 | 30,955 | 7,645 | 28,455 | 36,090 |
| percent | ||||||
| English | 10.3 | 23.6 | 20.3 | 13.5 | 22.2 | 20.4 |
| French | 41.6 | 38.1 | 39.0 | 42.7 | 40.7 | 41.2 |
| Other languages | 48.1 | 38.2 | 40.7 | 43.6 | 37.0 | 38.4 |
| 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, 8.6% of immigrants in Gatineau reported English as their mother tongue, while more than twice as many (20.4%) reported speaking mainly English at home. Similarly, 41.2% of immigrants reported that they spoke French most often at home, compared with 23.8% of them who reported that French was their mother tongue.
Just over 6 in 10 immigrants reported speaking French or English most often at home
In 2016, 61.6% of immigrants reported speaking French or English most often at home, up from 2011 (59.3%). The proportion of immigrants who spoke French most often at home increased from 39.0% in 2011 to 41.2% in 2016. The share of immigrants who reported speaking mainly English at home was little changed during this period, edging up from 20.3% to 20.4%.
Over 4 in 10 recent immigrants reported speaking a language other than English or French most often at home
In 2016, 43.6% of recent immigrants reported that they mainly spoke a language other than English or French at home, a lower percentage than in 2011 (48.1%).
Increase in the proportion of recent immigrants who reported speaking English most often at home
In 2016, a higher percentage of recent immigrants reported speaking English (13.5% versus 10.3%) or French (42.7% versus 41.6%) most often at home, compared with 2011.
9.4 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 | 58.5 | 49.4 | 50.6 | 59.6 | 57.1 | 57.6 |
| French | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 0.2 | 0.8 | |
| English and French | 39.0 | 50.4 | 48.9 | 39.4 | 41.7 | 41.4 | |
| Neither | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.2 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
| French | English | 1.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| French | 55.0 | 30.5 | 37.3 | 52.7 | 27.3 | 33.8 | |
| English and French | 43.3 | 68.4 | 61.4 | 46.1 | 72.4 | 65.6 | |
| Neither | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
| Other languages | English | 17.2 | 24.9 | 22.9 | 17.7 | 22.0 | 21.2 |
| French | 36.2 | 16.4 | 21.5 | 36.8 | 19.1 | 22.7 | |
| English and French | 38.6 | 54.3 | 50.2 | 34.9 | 55.7 | 51.5 | |
| Neither | 7.9 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 10.6 | 3.2 | 4.7 | |
| Total | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | |
| Total | English | 15.6 | 22.7 | 20.9 | 15.6 | 20.3 | 19.3 |
| French | 38.8 | 17.5 | 22.9 | 39.0 | 19.3 | 23.4 | |
| English and French | 39.8 | 56.7 | 52.4 | 38.4 | 58.2 | 54.0 | |
| Neither | 5.8 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 7.2 | 2.2 | 3.3 | |
| 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 Gatineau, 92.9% of the 7,600 recent immigrants reported being able to conduct a conversation in French or English in 2016, down from 2011 (94.2%).Note 1 This means that 7.2% of recent immigrants reported in 2016 that they could not conduct a conversation in either of the country’s official languages, up from 2011 (5.8%). In 2016, 15.6% of recent immigrants could conduct a conversation in English only, 39.0% in French only, and 38.4% in French and English.
Thus, the share of recent immigrants who could conduct a conversation in English (English + English and French) was 53.9% in 2016, down from 2011 (55.4%).
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 (2.2%) of established immigrants could not conduct a conversation in English or French
Among the 28,500 established immigrants, 97.8% could conduct a conversation in English or French in 2016, up from 2011 (96.9%). In 2016, 20.3% of these immigrants knew English only, 19.3% French only, and 58.2% English and French. Thus, 2.2% of these immigrants could not conduct a conversation in English or French, down from 2011 (3.1%).
The share of established immigrants who could conduct a conversation in English (English + English and French) was 78.5% in 2016, down slightly from 2011 (79.4%).
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 rose from 39.0% in 2011 to 39.4% in 2016. Similarly, the proportion among those who reported they could conduct a conversation only in English (and not in French) increased during this period, from 58.5% to 59.6%.
Decline in English–French bilingualism among recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French
In 2016, 34.9% of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French reported being bilingual (English–French), down from 2011 (38.6%). Similarly, the share of those who reported they could conduct a conversation only in French (and not in English) changed little, rising from 36.2% in 2011 to 36.8% 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 17.2% to 17.7%, while the share of those who knew neither English nor French increased from 7.9% to 10.6%.
Increase in the share of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is French who reported being able to 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 between 2011 and 2016, from 44.7% to 46.4%.
9.5 Top countries of birth of immigrants
9.5.A Recent immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | Haiti | 460 | 9.8 |
| 2 | Colombia | 450 | 9.6 | |
| 3 | Morocco | 430 | 9.2 | |
| 4 | France | 400 | 8.6 | |
| 5 | Algeria | 280 | 6.0 | |
| 6 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 255 | 5.5 | |
| 7 | Lebanon | 180 | 3.9 | |
| 8 | Burundi | 175 | 3.7 | |
| 9 | Cameroon | 175 | 3.7 | |
| 10 | Tunisia | 155 | 3.3 | |
| Total | 2,960 | 63.3 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | Haiti | 445 | 9.7 |
| 2 | Burundi | 370 | 8.0 | |
| 3 | Cameroon | 370 | 8.0 | |
| 4 | France | 355 | 7.7 | |
| 5 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 275 | 6.0 | |
| 6 | Côte d'Ivoire | 250 | 5.4 | |
| 7 | Colombia | 245 | 5.3 | |
| 8 | Morocco | 240 | 5.2 | |
| 9 | Algeria | 220 | 4.8 | |
| 10 | Rwanda | 115 | 2.5 | |
| Total | 2,885 | 62.6 | ||
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, 39.4%Note 2 of the 4,600 recent immigrants with French as their first official language spoken were born in Haiti (9.7%), Burundi (8.0%), Cameroon (8.0%), France (7.7%) or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.0%).
Over half of recent immigrants were from France, Haiti or Africa
In 2016, 57.3% of French-speaking recent immigrants were from France, Haiti or Africa, compared with 49.8% in 2011. This is an increase of 7.4 percentage points.
The share of France and Haiti fell from 18.4% in 2011 to 17.4% in 2016, while Africa’s share rose 8.5 percentage points over this period, from 31.4% to 39.9%.
In 2016, 7 of the top 10 countries of birth of French-speakingNote 3 recent immigrants were in Africa, compared with 6 in 2011.
9.5.B Established immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | France | 1,550 | 14.0 |
| 2 | Haiti | 930 | 8.4 | |
| 3 | Portugal | 765 | 6.9 | |
| 4 | Lebanon | 720 | 6.5 | |
| 5 | Algeria | 505 | 4.6 | |
| 6 | Morocco | 480 | 4.3 | |
| 7 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 475 | 4.3 | |
| 8 | Burundi | 325 | 2.9 | |
| 9 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 315 | 2.9 | |
| 10 | China | 310 | 2.8 | |
| Total | 6,375 | 57.7 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | France | 1,715 | 11.7 |
| 2 | Haiti | 1,465 | 10.0 | |
| 3 | Morocco | 915 | 6.2 | |
| 4 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 885 | 6.0 | |
| 5 | Lebanon | 845 | 5.8 | |
| 6 | Portugal | 830 | 5.7 | |
| 7 | Algeria | 760 | 5.2 | |
| 8 | Colombia | 660 | 4.5 | |
| 9 | Rwanda | 395 | 2.7 | |
| 10 | Burundi | 355 | 2.4 | |
| Total | 8,825 | 60.2 | ||
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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The proportion of French-speaking established immigrants from Europe (excluding France) fell 4.1 percentage points, from 9.8% in 2011 to 5.7% in 2016. In contrast, the percentage of immigrants from non-European countries increased 8.9 percentage points during this period, going from 33.9% to 42.9%.
9.5.C Recent immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | China | 90 | 6.1 |
| 2 | United States | 85 | 5.7 | |
| 3 | Philippines | 85 | 5.7 | |
| 4 | Iran | 70 | 4.7 | |
| 5 | Mexico | 65 | 4.4 | |
| 6 | Lebanon | 65 | 4.4 | |
| 7 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 55 | 3.7 | |
| 8 | Colombia | 50 | 3.4 | |
| 9 | Iraq | 50 | 3.4 | |
| 10 | United Kingdom | 45 | 3.0 | |
| Total | 660 | 44.6 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | United States | 135 | 8.4 |
| 2 | China | 110 | 6.8 | |
| 3 | Philippines | 95 | 5.9 | |
| 4 | Lebanon | 70 | 4.3 | |
| 5 | Syria | 65 | 4.0 | |
| 6 | Nigeria | 60 | 3.7 | |
| 7 | Rwanda | 55 | 3.4 | |
| 8 | Iran | 55 | 3.4 | |
| 9 | Pakistan | 50 | 3.1 | |
| 10 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 45 | 2.8 | |
| Total | 740 | 46.0 | ||
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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Top countries of origin
In 2016, 21.1% of the 1,610 recent immigrants whose first official language spoken is English were born in the United States (8.4%), China (6.8%) or the Philippines (5.9%). This is an increase over 2011 (17.6%). In 2016, as in 2011, these countries were the top three countries of birth of these immigrants.
In 2016, 27.6% of English-speaking recent immigrants were from Asia (including the Middle East), compared with 24.3% in 2011.
In 2016, 6 of the top 10 countries of birth of English-speaking recent immigrants were Asian countries (including those in the Middle East).
9.5.D Established immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)
| Rank | Country of birth | Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 National Household Survey | 1 | United Kingdom | 790 | 9.8 |
| 2 | China | 620 | 7.7 | |
| 3 | Lebanon | 595 | 7.4 | |
| 4 | United States | 530 | 6.6 | |
| 5 | Germany | 325 | 4.0 | |
| 6 | Portugal | 225 | 2.8 | |
| 7 | Poland | 205 | 2.5 | |
| 8 | Romania | 185 | 2.3 | |
| 9 | Netherlands | 170 | 2.1 | |
| 10 | Iran | 165 | 2.0 | |
| Total | 3,810 | 47.3 | ||
| 2016 Census of Population | 1 | Lebanon | 740 | 8.7 |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 675 | 8.0 | |
| 3 | China | 615 | 7.2 | |
| 4 | United States | 575 | 6.8 | |
| 5 | Germany | 285 | 3.4 | |
| 6 | Portugal | 265 | 3.1 | |
| 7 | Philippines | 260 | 3.1 | |
| 8 | Iran | 255 | 3.0 | |
| 9 | Poland | 225 | 2.7 | |
| 10 | Romania | 160 | 1.9 | |
| Total | 4,055 | 47.8 | ||
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 proportion of English-speaking established immigrants from Asia (including the Middle East) increased 4.9 percentage points, from 17.1% to 22.0%. In contrast, the proportion of immigrants from Europe and the United States decreased 4.5 percentage points, from 30.2% in 2011 to 25.7% in 2016.
Notes
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