Why does Canada have two official languages? The history of English and French | ImmigraCan
· | Categoria: Trivia
Understand how and why Canada became officially bilingual, the role of Quebec, and what this means in practice for immigrants.
Canada has been officially bilingual since 1969, when the Official Languages Act gave English and French identical status within the federal government. But the story begins centuries earlier.
The origin: French colonization (1534)
In 1534, French explorer Jacques Cartier landed on what is now the Gaspé Peninsula (Quebec) and claimed the territory for France, naming it "Nouvelle France." For 200 years, the region was colonized by the French.
The rupture: Seven Years' War (1756–1763)
The British and French fought for control of North America. In 1759, General Wolfe won the Battle of the Plains of Abraham (Quebec), and in 1763 the Treaty of Paris handed all of Nouvelle France over to the British.
The Quebec Act (1774)
Against expectations that francophones would be assimilated, the United Kingdom passed the Quebec Act, which guaranteed:
- The right to keep the French language
- The right to keep the Catholic religion
- The right to keep the French Civil Code (rather than English common law)
This act is considered the seed of Canadian bilingualism.
The Constitution Act of 1867
When Canada became a confederation, Article 133 guaranteed that:
- Parliamentary debates could be conducted in English or French
- Official documents had to be published in both languages
- Federal courts could use either language
The Official Languages Act (1969)
Under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, Canada passed the Official Languages Act, which:
- Gave English and French identical status throughout the federal government
- Required bilingual federal services in areas with "significant demand"
- Created the position of Commissioner of Official Languages to oversee compliance
What bilingualism looks like in practice
- Federal: 100% bilingual (canada.ca website, notices, passports, forms)
- New Brunswick: the only officially bilingual province
- Quebec: officially francophone (Bill 101 requires French on signage, in schools, and at work)
- Ontario: French has "French Language Services" status in regions with more than 5,000 francophones
- Manitoba: bilingual by Supreme Court decision in 1985
- Other provinces: officially English-speaking, but with French services where there's demand
For Brazilians: is it worth learning French?
Yes, and the payoff is huge:
- Francophone category in Express Entry: historically lower CRS cutoffs than general draws
- CRS bonus: 50 extra points if you have NCLC 7 in French (even with strong English)
- Quebec: has its own immigration system (doesn't use Express Entry)
- Federal jobs: many require bilingualism
If you already know some French (even from school), it's well worth taking a TEF or TCF test before applying. See more in our guide to CLB/NCLC.
Next steps
- Calculate your CRS with French — the bonus changes the game
- Take the quiz to see your best program
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*This content is informational and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. ImmigraCan is not affiliated with the Government of Canada or IRCC. Always confirm official data at canada.ca and, for your specific case, consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or specialized lawyer.*