Canadian census data released in Q4 2022 shows that more than 9 out of 10 immigrants arriving between 2016 and 2021 reported having proficiency in English and French.
The vast majority (92.7%) of recent immigrants reported being able to communicate in either English or French, even though the majority (69.4%) identified a language other than Canada’s two official languages as their mother tongue.
Recent immigrants with an unofficial mother tongue reported speaking English or French at home, alone, or with friends, in 62.3%.
Proficiency in French and English – why it is so important?
Canada traditionally considers knowledge of at least one official language a sign of success for immigrants.
Express Entry applications are evaluated based on candidate fluency in official languages as part of the CRS. The Canadian Express Entry program prioritizes candidates with sufficient English and/or French language proficiency for conversation, reading, and writing. For first official language competence, the CRS score awards Express Entry applicants a maximum of 320 points (if accompanied by a spouse or partner) or 310 points (without a spouse or partner). It follows that the level of proficiency in a Canadian official language can have a significant impact on a person’s CRS score.
How does this affect recent migrants to Canada?
Considering their increased proficiency in both English and French, recent Canadian immigrants are more qualified than ever to thrive in Canada.
Several variables play a role in enhancing Canadian immigrants’ short-, medium-, and long-term incomes, according to a March 2020 Statistics Canada study.
StatsCan data shows that native speakers of non-official languages who speak English as their first language earned 29% less than native English or French speakers within the first year or two after arriving in Canada. Clearly, if new immigrants speak English or French more fluently between 2016 and 2021, they can make more money than those who cannot.
Moreover, the StatsCan report found that these results were true over the medium and long term (10 to 11 years after immigration to Canada) as well as over the short term (five to six years). A study of native speakers earning 43 percent more money compared to non-native speakers over the medium and long term showed that native speakers earned 35% more money in the long run than non-native speakers.
Since 92.7% of recent immigrants fit into this category, it follows they will have a higher probability of success in Canada if they are able to speak English or French.
