The Official Languages Act (OLA) ensures respect for both official languages, English and French, including official language minority communities (OLMCs) and their development. Part IV of the OLA ensures that Canadians have the right to communicate with and receive services in either official language. Additionally, Part VII of the OLA aims to promote the development of official language minority communities (OLMCs) and enhance the recognition of English and French in Canadian society.
There are over 344,225 businesses majority-owned by a person or persons whose first official language spoken is the minority official language. OLM-owned businesses comprise a small share of all businesses (6.3%). Economic development plays a fundamental role in how OLMCs thrive. The vitality of these communities is largely due to entrepreneurs. While these entrepreneurs often demonstrate perseverance and innovation, they face unique obstacles. It is important to strengthen the ecosystems in which entrepreneurship can emerge, grow and thrive in all regions of the country.
What are official language minority communities (OLMCs)?
Official language minority communities (OLMCs) are groups of people whose preferred official language is not the language of majority in their province or territory. This includes French speakers outside of Quebec and English speakers in Quebec. OLMCs vary based on their location and communities – rural or urban and tightly knit communities or spread out across the country.
- Statistics on official languages in Canada
- A portrait of official language minority owned businesses that received federal business innovation and growth support, 2020
- Official Language Minority Communities 2021 Map
How to identify OLMC-owned businesses?
The number of OLMC-owned businesses vary depending on the definitions used. Two factors are considered: what type of ownership should be considered like one OLM owner or majority OLM owners and which language variable is being used like language spoken most at home, first official language spoken or mother tongue.
Francophone Minority Community
In 2021, French was the first official language spoken for (22%) of the population of Canada. The Francophone community outside of Quebec refers to the population of first official language spoken and represents almost 3.5% (1 million) of the population. The Francophone community enriches Canada's unique identity.
In 2020, the Francophone Minority Community had 134,725 businesses. Between 2017 and 2020, the percentage and the number of SMEs (majority-owned by entrepreneurs whose first language is French) decreased outside of Quebec in each region corresponding to one of the seven regional development agencies (RDAs). According to the data from 2011 to 2014, the percentage and the number of SMEs fluctuated differently in each region. For example, in the Atlantic, the percentage increased from 2011 to 2014, decreased from 2014 to 2017 then decreased again from 2017 to 2020.
The Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne du Canada (in French only) (FCFA) is the national and international representative of minority Francophone communities across Canada. The FCFA defends the interests and the rights of French-speaking Canadians living in minority situations by bringing together hundreds of organizations to discuss success, current issues, and promoting reflection and action in the field of immigration and diversity.
The réseau de développement économique et d'employabilité (RDÉE) maximizes the economic potential of Francophone and Acadian communities. Its mandate is to offer various services to these communities to create business ventures and long-term employment. There is a member organization in each province and territory where English is the majority language to reflect diverse perspectives across Canada. RDÉE organizations are partners of the National Committee of Economic Development and Employability (NCEDEE). They play a coordinating role and provide local leadership in the socioeconomic development of the minority community of their province or territory.
English-speaking communities of Quebec
In 2021, 843,945 Quebec residents (10.0% of the population) had English as their mother tongue. Quebec's Anglophone community or the English Speaking Communities of Quebec (ESCQ) primarily reside in the Montréal area but are also found in smaller communities across the province, such as the Pontiac, the Eastern Townships, the Gaspé, the Lower North Shore and the Magdalen Islands.
In 2020, there were 209,500 English minority owned businesses in Quebec. From 2017 to 2020, the number and percentage of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Quebec owned by English-speaking entrepreneurs increased. From 2011 to 2014 and 2017 to 2020, the percentage and the number of SMEs increased every year.
The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) represents Quebec's minority Anglophone communities. The QCGN provides leadership and representation through dialogue, public awareness and advocacy for English-speaking Quebecers and their diverse institutions, organizations, and communities.
The Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation (CEDEC) shares its experience in planning and developing partnerships in the communities across Quebec to strengthen local economies and employability of the English-speaking ;and broader community. CEDEC's objectives are to help create jobs, upskill and place workers, increase wages and revenues, build and grow businesses, and increase investments.