Bilingualism in Canada: A solid investment in the country’s future

Nov 27, 2018

Originally posted by l'Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC)

Ottawa, November 27, 2018 – The Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) has released the results of a study conducted by the Conference Board of Canada. English-French Bilingualism Outside Quebec: An Economic Portrait of Bilinguals in Canada demonstrates the place and importance of bilingualism outside Quebec in the Canadian economy.

“The study clearly reflects the need for postsecondary education and the key role Canada’s French-language colleges and universities must play in educating a qualified bilingual workforce who can participate Canada’s economic development,” said ACUFC Executive Director Lynn Brouillette, adding that “bilinguals outside Quebec  contribute CAN$134.8 billion to Canada’s GDP: this telling figure proves that governments must continue to fund and support postsecondary education in French outside Quebec, while also improving access to it.”

Highlights:

• More Bilingual Canadians outside Quebec obtain university degrees than unilingual Canadians.
• 37.1% of bilinguals outside Quebec have at least a bachelor’s degree.
• 17.6% of bilinguals outside Quebec have at least a college diploma.
• Bilingual workers have higher incomes and tend to be more active in the labour market.
• Bilingual workers figure prominently in public administration, educational services, health care, and professional services.
• Bilingual workers create the most wealth in the finance, insurance, and real estate industry, with a contribution to GDP close to CAN$31 billion.

Please consult the documents produced by the Conference Board du Canada in cooperation with the ACUFC, i.e., the full study (in French only), infographic, and PowerPoint presentation (in French only).

The study data were mainly taken from the 2006 to 2016 Canadian censuses. Results of a survey of 1,000 respondents specially selected for ACUFC were added so that the Conference Board of Canada could complement census data.

Source:
Carole Breton
Directrice des communications / Director of Communications
Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne
Tel.: (613) 244-7837, poste 105 │ 1 866 551-2637
Cell.: (613) 222-6076
cbreton@acufc.ca