This public opinion research report presents the results of quantitative research conducted by the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada and Prairie Research Associates (PRA). PRA provided data while the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages undertook the analysis and production of this report.
Cette publication est aussi disponible en français sous le titre Recherche sur l’opinion publique – Rapport méthodologique.
This publication may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes only. Prior written permission must be obtained from the Office of Commissioner of Official Languages. For more information on this report, please contact information.information@clo-ocol.gc.ca.
© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2024
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (the Office of the Commissioner) hired Prairie Research Associates (PRA) to conduct a public opinion survey to get a more accurate picture of:
To conduct the survey, PRA completed the following steps.
Table 1 shows a summary of the methodology used for this survey.
| Pre-test (telephone) | February 29, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Survey dates | March 4–30, 2024 |
| Completed surveys | 900 |
| Average completion time (minutes:seconds) | 12:42 |
| Error rate (95% confidence interval) | ± 3.3% |
| Response rate | 5% |
| Survey type | Random (probability) |
The Office of the Commissioner received a detailed set of “banner tables” under separate cover that presented the results for all questions by population segments as defined by region and demographics. The specific results to which the following analysis refers have been taken from these tables.
Unless otherwise specified, the following observations are based on the total sample (n=900) or on first official language learned (Question 5: English or, for convenience, “Anglophones,” n=741; and French or, for convenience, “Francophones,” n=155), and the percentages referred to are from the weighted results.
Most respondents agreed that they are generally aware of their language rights (87% of Anglophones; 85% of Francophones).
Among those who are aware of their language rights, Francophones agreed to a greater extent than Anglophones (62% compared to 42%) that they know who to contact if their rights under the Official Languages Act are not being respected.
The results appear to be less favourable among official language minority populations, especially when it comes to knowing who to contact regarding their rights. This is of potential significance because the language rights of members of official language minority communities (OLMCs) are potentially more at risk by virtue of their minority status.
This finding was produced by isolating populations by region (Quebec vs. Canada outside Quebec) and analyzing the results according to first official language learned (Question 5). Analyzing according to Question 5 instead of language of survey is particularly necessary for Francophones outside Quebec because almost all of them completed the survey in English. The Official language minority community respondent numbers are admittedly small (n=100: 50 Anglophones in Quebec, 50 Francophones outside Quebec), so the results should be read with some caution.
According to this analysis, Official language minority community members may be less aware of their language rights than members of official language majority communities, and less than half of those respondents seemed to know who to contact if their rights are not being respected. In addition, if language of survey is any indication, members of French OLMCs seem to be significantly less likely to exercise (or be able to exercise) their federal official languages rights (given that only 7% completed the survey in French).
A high percentage of survey respondents agreed that supporting the use of both official languages in Canada is important to them (78% of Anglophones and 96% of Francophones). The percentages were similar for respondents who agreed that supporting the use of both official languages in Canada is important to Canadians (77% of Anglophones and 88% of Francophones).
72% of Anglophones, and 93% of Francophones agreed that senior government officials, such as commissioners, ombudspersons or heads of agencies, should be able to communicate effectively in both English and French.
Among Anglophones, 73% agreed that they have had the opportunity to learn French (although respondents were not asked how extensive that opportunity was). Among Francophones, 86% agreed that they have had the opportunity to learn English.
There is an even greater difference when comparing the percentage of respondents who “strongly” agreed that they have had the opportunity to learn their second official language: 48% of Anglophones compared to 72% of Francophones.
Among those who agreed that they have had the opportunity to learn the other official language, Francophones indicated to a far greater extent that they feel comfortable interacting in the other official language (86% of Francophones indicated that they were “very” or “somewhat” comfortable, compared to 37% of Anglophones).
Again, the contrast is more marked when comparing the percentage of respondents who selected “very comfortable”: 60% of Francophones compared to 11% of Anglophones.
Table 2 shows the error rates for the demographic groups included in the survey.
| Group | n-size | Error rate (based on 95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | 100 | ± 9.8% |
| Quebec | 156 | ± 7.8% |
| Ontario | 259 | ± 6.1% |
| Manitoba/Saskatchewan | 112 | ± 9.3% |
| Alberta | 127 | ± 8.7% |
| British Columbia / Territories | 146 | ± 8.1% |
| Group | n-size | Error rate (based on 95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 to 34 | 129 | ± 8.6% |
| 35 to 54 | 294 | ± 5.7% |
| 55 and older | 473 | ± 4.5% |
| Group | n-size | Error rate (based on 95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Man (male) | 416 | ± 4.8% |
| Woman (female) | 479 | ± 4.5% |
| Group | n-size | Error rate (based on 95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| < $30,000 | 56 | ± 13.1% |
| $30,000 to $59,999 | 124 | ± 8.8% |
| $60,000 to $99,999 | 184 | ± 7.2% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 107 | ± 9.5% |
| $150,000 or more | 103 | ± 9.7% |
| Group | n-size | Error rate (based on 95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| English | 741 | ± 3.6% |
| French | 155 | ± 7.9% |
Table 3 shows the call record for the survey.
| Outcome | Number |
|---|---|
| A Total numbers attempted | 67,830 |
| 1. Not in service | 22,495 |
| 2. Fax | 200 |
| 3. Business | 372 |
| Remaining | 44,763 |
| Outcome | Number |
|---|---|
| B Total eligible numbers | 44,763 |
| 4. Busy | 1,435 |
| 5. Answering machines | 23,072 |
| 6. No answer | 11,764 |
| 7/8. Language/illness/incapability | 402 |
| 9.Selected/eligible respondent not available | 78 |
| Remaining | 8,012 |
| Outcome | Number |
|---|---|
| C Total asked | 8,012 |
| 10. Household refusal | 744 |
| 11. Respondent refusal | 4,791 |
| 12. Qualified respondent break off | 96 |
| Remaining | 2,381 |
| Outcome | Number |
|---|---|
| D Cooperative contacts | 2,381 |
| 13. Disqualified | 1,481 |
| 14. Completed interviews | 900 |
| Outcome | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Refusal rate = (10+11+12)/C | 5,631/8,012 | 70% |
| Response rate (D/B) | 2,381/44,763 | 5% |
Hello, I am calling from Prairie Research Associates, a national research firm. We are conducting a short three-minute survey about language use in Canada. This survey has been registered with the Canadian Research Insights Council. Do you have a few minutes to do the survey with me?
Would you prefer to complete the survey in English or French?
First, just a few questions to ensure we are speaking to a diverse mix of Canadians.
I am going to read you a series of statements. For each, please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree.