Mother Tongue

Mother tongue language distribution, highlighting non-official language diversity. — 2016 Census of Population

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EnglishFrenchMandarinCantonesePunjabiTagalogSpanishArabicOther Non-Official

Opacity indicates share of population — darker means a higher percentage.

Predominant Language

Most common mother tongue, shaded by percentage of population

Distribution by riding

Most common mother tongue by federal riding, 2016 Census. English in 258 of 338 ridings, French in 78, Cantonese in 1. Highest share: 99.2% (English, Bonavista—Burin—Trinity).

Colour

Find a riding

Median riding 77.7%

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Vertical axis: Share of the largest group (%)

Each dot is one federal riding (338 with a figure; 2013 Representation Order), placed by its value and spread across the axis so that dots do not overlap. The line marks the median riding (77.7%). Colour: the largest group, as on the map; position: that group’s share.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population.

Highest and lowest ridings

Most common mother tongue by federal riding, 2016 Census. 338 ridings ranked from highest (1) to lowest; tied values share a rank. Bars start at zero on one scale; the vertical line marks the median riding (77.7%).

10 highest

The 10 ridings with the highest values: most common mother tongue, 2016 Census
Rank	Riding	Share
1	Bonavista—Burin—TrinityNLEnglish	99.2%
2	AvalonNLEnglish	99.0%
2	Coast of Bays—Central—Notre DameNLEnglish	99.0%
4	Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-LoupQCFrench	98.8%
5	Lac-Saint-JeanQCFrench	98.7%
6	JonquièreQCFrench	98.6%
7	Long Range MountainsNLEnglish	98.4%
7	Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les BasquesQCFrench	98.4%
9	BeauceQCFrench	98.2%
10	Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—CharlevoixQCFrench	97.9%

10 lowest

The 10 ridings with the lowest values: most common mother tongue, 2016 Census, lowest first
Rank	Riding	Share
338	Saint-LaurentQCFrench	27.4%
337	Scarborough—AgincourtONEnglish	28.9%
336	Scarborough NorthONEnglish	29.0%
335	Mont-RoyalQCEnglish	29.5%
334	WillowdaleONEnglish	29.9%
333	Markham—ThornhillONEnglish	30.3%
332	Richmond CentreBCEnglish	30.6%
331	NunavutNUEnglish	30.9%
330	Saint-Léonard—Saint-MichelQCFrench	31.1%
329	Don Valley NorthONEnglish	31.4%

All 338 ridings, ranked

All ridings ranked by most common mother tongue, 2016 Census, highest first
Rank	Riding	Province or territory	Largest group	Share
1	Bonavista—Burin—Trinity	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	99.2%
2	Avalon	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	99.0%
2	Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	99.0%
4	Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup	Quebec	French	98.8%
5	Lac-Saint-Jean	Quebec	French	98.7%
6	Jonquière	Quebec	French	98.6%
7	Long Range Mountains	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	98.4%
7	Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques	Quebec	French	98.4%
9	Beauce	Quebec	French	98.2%
10	Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île dOrléans—Charlevoix	Quebec	French	97.9%
10	Mégantic—L'Érable	Quebec	French	97.9%
12	Berthier—Maskinongé	Quebec	French	97.7%
13	Chicoutimi—Le Fjord	Quebec	French	97.6%
13	Lévis—Lotbinière	Quebec	French	97.6%
15	Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis	Quebec	French	97.5%
16	Bécancour—Nicolet—Saurel	Quebec	French	97.4%
17	St. John's South—Mount Pearl	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	96.7%
18	Cumberland—Colchester	Nova Scotia	English	96.6%
19	Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier	Quebec	French	96.5%
20	South Shore—St. Margarets	Nova Scotia	English	96.4%
21	Central Nova	Nova Scotia	English	96.3%
22	Drummond	Quebec	French	96.0%
23	Kings—Hants	Nova Scotia	English	95.6%
24	Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot	Quebec	French	95.4%
25	Avignon—La Mitis—Matane—Matapédia	Quebec	French	95.3%
25	Richmond—Arthabaska	Quebec	French	95.3%
27	Trois-Rivières	Quebec	French	95.2%
28	Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles	Quebec	French	95.0%
28	Malpeque	Prince Edward Island	English	95.0%
30	Abitibi—Témiscamingue	Quebec	French	94.9%
30	Louis-Saint-Laurent	Quebec	French	94.9%
32	Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook	Nova Scotia	English	94.8%
33	Saint-Maurice—Champlain	Quebec	French	94.6%
34	Montcalm	Quebec	French	94.5%
34	Rivière-du-Nord	Quebec	French	94.5%
36	Hastings—Lennox and Addington	Ontario	English	94.3%
37	Saint-Jean	Quebec	French	94.2%
38	Pierre-Boucher—Les Patriotes—Verchères	Quebec	French	94.0%
39	Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock	Ontario	English	93.8%
40	New Brunswick Southwest	New Brunswick	English	93.5%
41	Fundy Royal	New Brunswick	English	93.3%
41	Northumberland—Peterborough South	Ontario	English	93.3%
41	Shefford	Quebec	French	93.3%
44	Cardigan	Prince Edward Island	English	93.2%
44	Mirabel	Quebec	French	93.2%
46	Parry Sound—Muskoka	Ontario	English	93.1%
46	St. John's East	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	93.1%
48	Lanark—Frontenac—Kingston	Ontario	English	92.9%
49	Beloeil—Chambly	Quebec	French	92.8%
49	Joliette	Quebec	French	92.8%
49	Sydney—Victoria	Nova Scotia	English	92.8%
52	Laurentides—Labelle	Quebec	French	92.7%
53	Peterborough—Kawartha	Ontario	English	92.6%
54	Beauport—Limoilou	Quebec	French	92.4%
55	Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes	Ontario	English	92.3%
56	Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound	Ontario	English	91.7%
57	Bay of Quinte	Ontario	English	91.6%
58	Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan	Saskatchewan	English	91.3%
58	Repentigny	Quebec	French	91.3%
60	Dartmouth—Cole Harbour	Nova Scotia	English	91.1%
61	Huron—Bruce	Ontario	English	91.0%
62	Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine	Quebec	French	90.8%
63	Souris—Moose Mountain	Saskatchewan	English	90.7%
64	North Island—Powell River	British Columbia	English	90.5%
65	Lambton—Kent—Middlesex	Ontario	English	90.4%
65	Sarnia—Lambton	Ontario	English	90.4%
67	Cowichan—Malahat—Langford	British Columbia	English	90.2%
68	Cape Breton—Canso	Nova Scotia	English	90.1%
68	Courtenay—Alberni	British Columbia	English	90.1%
68	Kootenay—Columbia	British Columbia	English	90.1%
68	Québec	Quebec	French	90.1%
72	Simcoe North	Ontario	English	90.0%
72	Sturgeon River—Parkland	Alberta	English	90.0%
74	North Okanagan—Shuswap	British Columbia	English	89.9%
74	Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke	Ontario	English	89.9%
76	Saint John—Rothesay	New Brunswick	English	89.8%
76	Yellowhead	Alberta	English	89.8%
78	Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo	British Columbia	English	89.5%
78	Oxford	Ontario	English	89.5%
80	Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte	Ontario	English	89.2%
80	Battle River—Crowfoot	Alberta	English	89.2%
80	Haldimand—Norfolk	Ontario	English	89.2%
83	Thunder Bay—Rainy River	Ontario	English	89.1%
84	Red Deer—Mountain View	Alberta	English	89.0%
85	Egmont	Prince Edward Island	English	88.8%
86	Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan	Alberta	English	88.5%
87	Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies	British Columbia	English	88.3%
88	Cariboo—Prince George	British Columbia	English	88.2%
88	Foothills	Alberta	English	88.2%
88	Louis-Hébert	Quebec	French	88.2%
88	Nanaimo—Ladysmith	British Columbia	English	88.2%
88	Simcoe—Grey	Ontario	English	88.2%
93	Montarville	Quebec	French	88.0%
93	Terrebonne	Quebec	French	88.0%
95	Brantford—Brant	Ontario	English	87.9%
96	Thérèse-De Blainville	Quebec	French	87.8%
97	Sherbrooke	Quebec	French	87.7%
98	Chilliwack—Hope	British Columbia	English	87.2%
98	Durham	Ontario	English	87.2%
98	Red Deer—Lacombe	Alberta	English	87.2%
98	Yorkton—Melville	Saskatchewan	English	87.2%
102	Oshawa	Ontario	English	87.1%
102	Sault Ste. Marie	Ontario	English	87.1%
104	Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation	Quebec	French	87.0%
105	Niagara West	Ontario	English	86.9%
105	Wellington—Halton Hills	Ontario	English	86.9%
107	Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola	British Columbia	English	86.7%
108	Regina—Qu'Appelle	Saskatchewan	English	86.6%
109	Compton—Stanstead	Quebec	French	86.5%
109	Skeena—Bulkley Valley	British Columbia	English	86.5%
111	Salaberry—Suroît	Quebec	French	86.4%
112	Perth—Wellington	Ontario	English	86.3%
113	Carlton Trail—Eagle Creek /Sentier Carlton—Eagle Creek	Saskatchewan	English	86.2%
113	Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman	Manitoba	English	86.2%
115	South Okanagan—West Kootenay	British Columbia	English	86.1%
116	Prince Albert	Saskatchewan	English	86.0%
117	Grande Prairie—Mackenzie	Alberta	English	85.9%
118	Charlottetown	Prince Edward Island	English	85.8%
119	Kelowna—Lake Country	British Columbia	English	85.7%
119	Labrador	Newfoundland and Labrador	English	85.7%
121	Cypress Hills—Grasslands	Saskatchewan	English	85.2%
121	Medicine Hat—Cardston—Warner	Alberta	English	85.2%
123	Elgin—Middlesex—London	Ontario	English	85.0%
124	Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke	British Columbia	English	84.9%
125	Battlefords—Lloydminster	Saskatchewan	English	84.8%
126	Manicouagan	Quebec	French	84.7%
127	Barrie—Innisfil	Ontario	English	84.5%
127	Kingston and the Islands	Ontario	English	84.5%
129	Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley	Manitoba	English	84.3%
130	Banff—Airdrie	Alberta	English	84.2%
131	West Nova	Nova Scotia	English	83.9%
132	Lakeland	Alberta	English	83.8%
133	Essex	Ontario	English	83.7%
133	Gatineau	Quebec	French	83.7%
133	Halifax	Nova Scotia	English	83.7%
133	La Prairie	Quebec	French	83.7%
137	Fredericton	New Brunswick	English	83.5%
138	Brandon—Souris	Manitoba	English	83.1%
138	Lethbridge	Alberta	English	83.1%
140	Brome—Missisquoi	Quebec	French	82.9%
141	Thunder Bay—Superior North	Ontario	English	82.6%
142	Acadie—Bathurst	New Brunswick	French	82.5%
142	Saanich—Gulf Islands	British Columbia	English	82.5%
142	Victoria	British Columbia	English	82.5%
145	Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa	Manitoba	English	82.4%
146	Halifax West	Nova Scotia	English	82.2%
147	Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge	British Columbia	English	82.1%
147	Rivière-des-Mille-Îles	Quebec	French	82.1%
149	Yukon	Yukon	English	81.9%
150	Burlington	Ontario	English	81.6%
151	Longueuil—Saint-Hubert	Quebec	French	81.4%
151	Regina—Lewvan	Saskatchewan	English	81.4%
153	Chatham-Kent—Leamington	Ontario	English	81.2%
153	Niagara Centre	Ontario	English	81.2%
155	La Pointe-de-l'Île	Quebec	French	80.9%
155	Whitby	Ontario	English	80.9%
157	York—Simcoe	Ontario	English	80.7%
158	St. Catharines	Ontario	English	80.5%
159	Niagara Falls	Ontario	English	80.4%
160	Tobique—Mactaquac	New Brunswick	English	80.3%
161	Madawaska—Restigouche	New Brunswick	French	80.2%
162	Dufferin—Caledon	Ontario	English	80.0%
163	Langley—Aldergrove	British Columbia	English	79.6%
164	Cambridge	Ontario	English	79.2%
164	Saskatoon—Grasswood	Saskatchewan	English	79.2%
166	Flamborough—Glanbrook	Ontario	English	78.8%
166	Nipissing—Timiskaming	Ontario	English	78.8%
168	Saskatoon—University	Saskatchewan	English	78.4%
169	London West	Ontario	English	77.7%
170	Fort McMurray—Cold Lake	Alberta	English	77.2%
170	Guelph	Ontario	English	77.2%
170	Kenora	Ontario	English	77.2%
173	London—Fanshawe	Ontario	English	76.9%
173	Pickering—Uxbridge	Ontario	English	76.9%
175	Northwest Territories	Northwest Territories	English	76.8%
176	Regina—Wascana	Saskatchewan	English	76.3%
177	Carleton	Ontario	English	75.9%
177	Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie	Quebec	French	75.9%
177	Winnipeg South Centre	Manitoba	English	75.9%
180	Calgary Shepard	Alberta	English	75.8%
181	Peace River—Westlock	Alberta	English	75.5%
182	Saskatoon West	Saskatchewan	English	75.4%
182	St. Albert—Edmonton	Alberta	English	75.4%
182	West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country	British Columbia	English	75.4%
185	Hamilton Centre	Ontario	English	75.2%
186	Bow River	Alberta	English	74.9%
186	Châteauguay—Lacolle	Quebec	French	74.9%
188	Elmwood—Transcona	Manitoba	English	74.6%
189	Calgary Midnapore	Alberta	English	74.4%
190	Calgary Confederation	Alberta	English	74.3%
190	Edmonton—Wetaskiwin	Alberta	English	74.3%
190	Windsor—Tecumseh	Ontario	English	74.3%
193	Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry	Ontario	English	74.1%
194	London North Centre	Ontario	English	73.6%
195	Kitchener Centre	Ontario	English	73.5%
196	Hochelaga	Quebec	French	73.4%
197	Edmonton Strathcona	Alberta	English	73.2%
198	Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas	Ontario	English	73.1%
199	Kitchener—Conestoga	Ontario	English	72.7%
200	Cloverdale—Langley City	British Columbia	English	72.6%
201	Kitchener South—Hespeler	Ontario	English	72.5%
202	Calgary Centre	Alberta	English	72.3%
203	Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon	British Columbia	English	72.1%
204	Hamilton Mountain	Ontario	English	71.8%
205	Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne	Quebec	French	71.4%
206	Miramichi—Grand Lake	New Brunswick	English	71.3%
207	Calgary Signal Hill	Alberta	English	71.0%
208	Abbotsford	British Columbia	English	70.8%
209	South Surrey—White Rock	British Columbia	English	70.7%
210	Sudbury	Ontario	English	70.1%
211	Kildonan—St. Paul	Manitoba	English	69.8%
212	Waterloo	Ontario	English	69.7%
213	Ajax	Ontario	English	69.6%
214	Calgary Heritage	Alberta	English	69.3%
215	Kanata—Carleton	Ontario	English	69.0%
215	Newmarket—Aurora	Ontario	English	69.0%
217	Edmonton Centre	Alberta	English	68.9%
217	Ottawa Centre	Ontario	English	68.9%
219	Laurier—Sainte-Marie	Quebec	French	68.7%
220	Churchill—Keewatinook Aski	Manitoba	English	68.6%
221	Saint Boniface—Saint Vital	Manitoba	English	68.5%
222	Hamilton East—Stoney Creek	Ontario	English	68.4%
223	Pontiac	Quebec	French	68.3%
224	Oakville	Ontario	English	68.1%
225	Beaches—East York	Ontario	English	67.9%
226	Provencher	Manitoba	English	67.8%
227	North Vancouver	British Columbia	English	67.6%
228	Marc-Aurèle-Fortin	Quebec	French	67.3%
229	Portage—Lisgar	Manitoba	English	67.1%
230	Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River	Saskatchewan	English	66.7%
230	Edmonton Griesbach	Alberta	English	66.7%
232	Delta	British Columbia	English	66.3%
233	Toronto—St. Paul's	Ontario	English	65.8%
234	Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing	Ontario	English	65.6%
235	Calgary Rocky Ridge	Alberta	English	65.5%
235	Edmonton West	Alberta	English	65.5%
237	Toronto—Danforth	Ontario	English	64.9%
238	Parkdale—High Park	Ontario	English	64.7%
239	Hull—Aylmer	Quebec	French	64.6%
240	Oakville North—Burlington	Ontario	English	63.8%
241	Nepean	Ontario	English	63.5%
242	Windsor West	Ontario	English	63.0%
243	Beauséjour	New Brunswick	French	62.9%
244	Milton	Ontario	English	62.8%
245	Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou	Quebec	French	62.4%
246	Mississauga—Lakeshore	Ontario	English	62.3%
246	Ottawa West—Nepean	Ontario	English	62.3%
248	Edmonton Riverbend	Alberta	English	62.2%
249	Edmonton Manning	Alberta	English	62.0%
249	University—Rosedale	Ontario	English	62.0%
251	Alfred-Pellan	Quebec	French	61.8%
251	Winnipeg South	Manitoba	English	61.8%
253	Eglinton—Lawrence	Ontario	English	61.1%
254	Timmins—James Bay	Ontario	English	60.9%
255	Winnipeg Centre	Manitoba	English	60.7%
256	Moncton—Riverview—Dieppe	New Brunswick	English	60.6%
257	Port Moody—Coquitlam	British Columbia	English	60.1%
258	Spadina—Fort York	Ontario	English	60.0%
258	Vancouver East	British Columbia	English	60.0%
260	Brampton Centre	Ontario	English	59.3%
261	Vancouver Quadra	British Columbia	English	59.2%
262	Glengarry—Prescott—Russell	Ontario	French	59.0%
263	Calgary Nose Hill	Alberta	English	58.7%
263	Vancouver Centre	British Columbia	English	58.7%
265	Vaudreuil—Soulanges	Quebec	French	58.3%
266	Etobicoke—Lakeshore	Ontario	English	58.1%
267	Scarborough—Rouge Park	Ontario	English	57.9%
268	Don Valley West	Ontario	English	57.0%
269	LaSalle—Émard—Verdun	Quebec	French	56.7%
270	Nickel Belt	Ontario	English	56.5%
271	Scarborough Southwest	Ontario	English	55.8%
272	Edmonton Mill Woods	Alberta	English	55.4%
273	Burnaby North—Seymour	British Columbia	English	55.3%
274	Vancouver Granville	British Columbia	English	55.1%
275	Markham—Stouffville	Ontario	English	54.7%
275	Toronto Centre	Ontario	English	54.7%
277	Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam	British Columbia	English	54.6%
277	Mississauga—Streetsville	Ontario	English	54.6%
279	Calgary Forest Lawn	Alberta	English	54.4%
279	Vimy	Quebec	French	54.4%
281	Etobicoke Centre	Ontario	English	52.8%
282	Ottawa South	Ontario	English	52.5%
283	Davenport	Ontario	English	52.2%
284	Winnipeg North	Manitoba	English	51.8%
285	New Westminster—Burnaby	British Columbia	English	51.7%
286	Brampton North	Ontario	English	51.5%
287	Orléans	Ontario	English	50.9%
288	Bourassa	Quebec	French	50.7%
289	Brossard—Saint-Lambert	Quebec	French	50.2%
290	Ahuntsic-Cartierville	Quebec	French	49.7%
291	Brampton West	Ontario	English	49.4%
291	Scarborough—Guildwood	Ontario	English	49.4%
293	King—Vaughan	Ontario	English	48.9%
294	Brampton South	Ontario	English	48.6%
295	Honoré-Mercier	Quebec	French	48.4%
296	York South—Weston	Ontario	English	48.3%
297	Ottawa—Vanier	Ontario	English	47.9%
298	Papineau	Quebec	French	47.3%
299	Outremont	Quebec	French	46.3%
300	Vaughan—Woodbridge	Ontario	English	46.0%
301	Don Valley East	Ontario	English	44.8%
301	Laval—Les Îles	Quebec	French	44.8%
301	Mississauga—Erin Mills	Ontario	English	44.8%
301	Scarborough Centre	Ontario	English	44.8%
301	Thornhill	Ontario	English	44.8%
306	Etobicoke North	Ontario	English	44.4%
307	Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill	Ontario	English	44.3%
308	Humber River—Black Creek	Ontario	English	44.0%
309	Lac-Saint-Louis	Quebec	English	43.9%
310	Calgary Skyview	Alberta	English	41.6%
310	Surrey—Newton	British Columbia	Punjabi	41.6%
312	Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs	Quebec	French	41.5%
313	Surrey Centre	British Columbia	English	41.2%
314	York Centre	Ontario	English	41.1%
315	Fleetwood—Port Kells	British Columbia	English	40.9%
316	Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle	Quebec	French	39.8%
317	Mississauga—Malton	Ontario	English	39.7%
318	Mississauga East—Cooksville	Ontario	English	39.4%
318	Notre-Dame-de-Grâce—Westmount	Quebec	English	39.4%
320	Vancouver Kingsway	British Columbia	English	39.0%
321	Mississauga Centre	Ontario	English	36.0%
322	Burnaby South	British Columbia	English	35.6%
322	Steveston—Richmond East	British Columbia	English	35.6%
324	Richmond Hill	Ontario	English	35.0%
325	Brampton East	Ontario	English	33.8%
326	Pierrefonds—Dollard	Quebec	English	32.0%
327	Markham—Unionville	Ontario	Cantonese	31.7%
328	Vancouver South	British Columbia	English	31.6%
329	Don Valley North	Ontario	English	31.4%
330	Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel	Quebec	French	31.1%
331	Nunavut	Nunavut	English	30.9%
332	Richmond Centre	British Columbia	English	30.6%
333	Markham—Thornhill	Ontario	English	30.3%
334	Willowdale	Ontario	English	29.9%
335	Mont-Royal	Quebec	English	29.5%
336	Scarborough North	Ontario	English	29.0%
337	Scarborough—Agincourt	Ontario	English	28.9%
338	Saint-Laurent	Quebec	French	27.4%

Share: the percentage in the largest group, the group shown on the map. Riding names link to the riding's dissemination-area map for this topic.

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population. Adapted from Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2016. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.