Most Canadians consider speaking English, French key to national identity: Pew survey

WASHINGTON — A new survey suggests Canadians are more likely than their U.S. counterparts to see language as central to their national identity. 

The Pew Research Center survey found 84 per cent of respondents said speaking English or French is very or somewhat important to being Canadian. 

Only 15 per cent said they consider it less or not at all important to be able to speak either of Canada’s two official languages.

In the U.S., however, only 78 per cent prioritized being able to speak English, while 21 per cent felt the opposite. 

A large majority of Canadians surveyed — 81 per cent — also linked customs and traditions to their national identity, compared with 19 per cent who did not. 

The study’s Canadian segment surveyed 1,007 people across Canada by phone between February and April of 2023, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 18, 2024.

The Canadian Press