First official language spoken

Part A - Short definition:

Not applicable

Part B - Detailed definition:

Refers to a variable specified within the framework of the Official Languages Act.

Census years:

2011 (100% population), 2006 (1/5 sample), 2001 (1/5 sample), 1996 (1/5 sample), 1991 (1/5 sample), 1986 (1/5 sample)

Reported for:

Total population

Question number(s):

Derived variable: Questions 7, 8 and 9

Responses:

Not applicable

Remarks:

This variable was derived within the framework of the application of the Official Languages Act.

This derivation method is described in the regulations concerning the use of official languages for the provision of public services. It takes into account, first, the knowledge of the two official languages, second, the mother tongue, and third, the home language.

People who can conduct a conversation in French only are assigned French as their first official language spoken. People who can carry on a conversation in English only are assigned English as their first official language spoken. The responses to questions on mother tongue and language spoken most often at home are subsequently used to establish the first official language spoken by people who speak both English and French, or who cannot speak either of the two official languages. The French category includes people who have French only or French and at least one non-official language as their mother tongue. People who have English only or English and at least one non-official language as their mother tongue are included in the English category. For cases that have not yet been classified, people are assigned to the French category when they speak French only or French and at least one non-official language as their language spoken most often at home. The procedure is the same for English. Thus, the population is classified into two principal categories: English or French. It is necessary to add two residual categories for people who cannot be classified in accordance with the information available: English and French and neither English nor French.

Please consult the following documents for more information: Official Languages (Communications with and Services to the Public) Regulations, registered on December 16, 1991, in accordance with section 85 of the Official Languages Act, R.S.C., c. 32 (4th Suppl.) and Population Estimates by First Official Language Spoken, 1991, Catalogue no. 94-320, Demography Division, Statistics Canada.