In 2016, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages (the Office of the Commissioner) commissioned a survey to explore Canadians' opinions on official languages and bilingualism. This research included both a random probability telephone survey of 1,000 Canadians, and an online panel survey of 1,016 Canadians. In 2021, the Office of the Commissioner commissioned Environics Research to survey Canadians again using the same methodologies, but with the sample sizes for each survey increased to 1,500, and largely the same questionnaires as were used in 2016. This enables the Office of the Commissioner to track the results and measure the extent to which public opinion has or has not evolved over the last five years.
This research project had the following key research objectives:
In keeping with the project’s research objectives, the findings of this research are intended to inform the Office of the Commissioner as well as stakeholders in and outside of government about the public’s attitudes and perceptions of official languages and bilingualism. The findings will be of particular use for better understanding the state of public opinion and to challenge certain myths about official bilingualism and misperceptions about Canadians’ attitudes. It is also intended that the findings will be used to develop communications products and research presentations with a view to conveying the results to different audiences, including members of the general public, media, government, community organizations, educators and researchers. As with the 2016 survey results, the 2021 survey results will aid in developing messages and strategies for the promotion of official languages and bilingualism in Canada, in keeping with the Commissioner’s mandate and obligations under Part VII of the Official Languages Act.
This report is based on data collected through a dual-mode research program: a national probability-based telephone survey of 1,507 adult Canadians, and a national online survey of 1,500 adult Canadians. As was the case in 2016, the 2021 online survey contained additional questions not asked in the shorter telephone survey, the online mode requiring fewer resources than the telephone mode. The online survey was conducted from September 30 to October 19, 2021, and the telephone survey from September 27 to October 16, 2021.
| Completions achieved | Total | British Columbia and the territories | Alberta | Saskatchewan and Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec | Atlantic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of completed telephone interviews (unweighted) | 1,507 | 225 | 204 | 100 | 453 | 375 | 150 |
| Percent of completed interviews | 100% | 15% | 14% | 7% | 30% | 25% | 10% |
| Margin of error (± @ 95% CI) | 2.5 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 9.7 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 8.0 |
| Number of completed online interviews (unweighted) | 1,500 | 204 | 168 | 97 | 577 | 352 | 102 |
| Percent of completed interviews | 100% | 14% | 11% | 6% | 38% | 23% | 7% |
Note: As the online survey uses opt-in panels, this is a non-probability sample, and no margin of sampling error is calculated.
A number of questions in the survey were included in a previous survey conducted in 2016; tracking data are shown where applicable. In 2016, the total online survey sample was n=1,016 and the telephone survey sample was n=1,000 (with a margin of error at the national level of ± 3.1%, 19 times out of 20).
Telephone and online surveys use differing methodologies and as such can yield results that may differ but that can nevertheless be considered as equally valid. As in 2016, the initial questions were asked in both the telephone and online surveys and, as previously, the magnitude of support and agreement are higher in the telephone than the online survey. This is a known phenomenon in interviewer-guided surveys. As the online survey uses opt-in panels, however, it is a non-probability sample, and a margin of sampling error cannot be calculated. The margin of sampling error for the 2021 national telephone survey is ± 2.5% at the 95% confidence interval; margins of error are greater for subsamples of the population. Per the 2016 survey, and to maintain comparability, the results of the telephone and online surveys have not been merged.
In this report, results are expressed as percentages unless otherwise noted. Results may not add to 100% due to rounding or multiple responses. All results are weighted (by gender, age and region, per the 2016 survey) and are based on the entire sample unless otherwise noted. Data labels for values less than 4% may not be shown on some charts.
Note: All survey respondents were given the choice of completing the telephone or online survey in English or French. For the purposes of analysis of these survey results, Anglophones and Francophones are defined by which language respondents selected to complete the survey.
More information about the methodology for these surveys is included in Appendix A.
The contract value was $136,173.93 (HST included).
This report begins with an executive summary outlining the background and objectives, methodology, and key findings and conclusions, followed by a detailed analysis of the survey data conducted by Environics and research personnel of the Office of the Commissioner. Where data for both modes (telephone and online) is available, all statements of analysis have been worded so as to be consistent with the results of both unless specified otherwise. Provided under a separate cover is a detailed set of “banner tables” presenting the complete results for all questions for the total and identified subgroups of interest in both modes. These tables are referenced by the survey question in the detailed analysis.
In this report, quantitative results are expressed as percentages unless otherwise noted. Results may not add to 100% due to rounding or multiple responses. Net results cited in the text may not exactly match individual results shown in the tables due to rounding.
The key findings and conclusions of the survey are as follows:
I hereby certify as senior officer of Environics that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity of the Government of Canada, and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate, or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leaders.
Derek Leebosh
Vice President, Public Affairs, Environics Research Group
derek.leebosh@environics.ca
(416) 820-1963
Supplier name: Environics Research Group
Contract number: 0P001-210595/001/CY
Original contract date: 2021-08-04
For more information, contact the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages