WATCH : Global Stage @ the UN: Reimagining Tomorrow: Breakthroughs in Data and AI
Scroll to the top

{{ subpage.title }}

A graphic showing English-French bilingualism in Canada.

GZERO Media/ Luisa Vieria

The Graphic Truth: English-French bilingualism in Canada

Parlez-vous le français? Probably pas très bien if you live outside Quebec, according to census data from Statistics Canada.

The share of Canadians who can hold a conversation in both English and French has plateaued around 18% for two decades, despite strong legal protections for the French language and official encouragement of bilingualism.

The background: Political rivalries between English and French-speaking Canadians dominated the early history of the country, and fuel some radical independence movements in Quebec even today. Official adoption of bilingualism at a federal level in 1969 was meant to help heal the rift.

Read moreShow less
Jess Frampton

Hard Numbers: US inflation soars, India health worker shortage, Quebec’s no-vax tax, African soccer scandal

7: US monthly inflation in December crept up to 7 percent, the highest year-on-year rise since 1982. The Federal Reserve has signaled it may raise interest rates higher, and sooner, than previously expected to fight rising prices.

Read moreShow less

Subscribe to our free newsletter, GZERO Daily

Latest