Languages in Canada

Canada is officially a bilingual country, with both English and French recognized as official languages at the federal level. This means that all federal government services, laws, and communications are available in both languages. If you contact the federal government, you have the right to be served in the official language of your choice.

English is the primary language spoken across most of Canada. The only province where French is the sole official language at the provincial level is Quebec, where the majority of the population speaks French as their first language. New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province, with a significant Francophone population in addition to its English-speaking majority. In other parts of the country — particularly in parts of Ontario, Manitoba, and the Maritime provinces — you'll find thriving French-speaking communities as well.

Beyond English and French, Canada is home to an incredible diversity of languages. According to Statistics Canada, over 200 languages are spoken in Canadian homes. Mandarin, Cantonese, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil, and many more are widely spoken across the country, particularly in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. You will very likely encounter people who speak your language in Canada's major cities.

If your English or French skills need improvement, there are excellent resources to help. The federal government funds a program called Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) for English, and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) for French. These programs offer free language classes specifically designed for newcomers. Language skills are one of the most important factors in successfully settling and advancing your career in Canada.

Indigenous languages are also an important part of Canada's linguistic landscape. There are over 70 Indigenous languages spoken in Canada, including Cree, Ojibwe, Inuktitut, Dene, and many others. Efforts to preserve and revitalize these languages are ongoing and are a key part of reconciliation.