Official languages
Data categories
The Official Languages Act establishes that English and French are the official languages of Canada and are of equal status within all federal institutions. The Treasury Board Secretariat Policy on Official Languages sets requirements for Government of Canada departments (including DND), and DAOD 5039-0, Official Languages sets requirements for DND employees and CAF members. The DND/CAF Official Languages Strategy and Action Plan aim to meet the requirements of the Official Languages Act, with the goal of contributing to an accessible and productive Defence workforce that represents and respects the core Canadian value of linguistic duality. DND/CAF also recognizes the unique experiences and contributions of allophones (those whose first language is neither English nor French).
A culture of inclusion and belonging is reinforced by ensuring equal opportunities for DND/CAF employees and members regardless of their official language preference.
Sentiment towards official languages
These metrics are from the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 Public Service Employee Survey (PSES), which is sent to all DND public service employees, and the 2022 Your Say Matters (YSM) survey, which is sent to both DND public service employees and CAF members.
Defence Team
I am satisfied with access to second language training:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 44% | 56% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Men | 2022 | 57% | 44% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Women | 2022 | 50% | 50% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 25% | 75% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 31% | 69% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 46% | 54% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 42% | 58% |
| Component | DND public service employees | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 25% | 75% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 45% | 55% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 40% | 60% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 33% | 67% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 45% | 55% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 23% | 78% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 15% | 85% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 46% | 54% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 52% | 48% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 43% | 57% |
I am satisfied with the quality of second language training:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 62% | 39% |
| Gender | All Men | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| Gender | All Women | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Men | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
| Gender | DND public service employees Women | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Men | 2022 | 57% | 43% |
| Gender | Primary Reserve Women | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Gender | Regular Force Men | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| Gender | Regular Force Women | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| Component | DND public service employees | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| Component | Primary Reserve | 2022 | 53% | 47% |
| Component | Regular Force | 2022 | 65% | 35% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 59% | 41% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Junior Officer | 2022 | 58% | 43% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| CAF Rank | Overall Senior Officer | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 35% | 65% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Junior Officer | 2022 | 58% | 42% |
| CAF Rank | Primary Reserve Senior Officer | 2022 | 83% | 17% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Junior Officer | 2022 | 58% | 43% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Non-Commissioned Member | 2022 | 75% | 25% |
| CAF Rank | Regular Force Senior Officer | 2022 | 62% | 38% |
Data Source: Your Say Matters: Defence Team Well-Being Survey (2022)
DND public service employees
The material and tools provided for my work, including software and other automated tools, are available in the official language of my choice:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Age | 24 years and under | 2020 | 95% | 5% |
| Age | 24 years and under | 2022 | 94% | 6% |
| Age | 25-29 years | 2020 | 95% | 5% |
| Age | 25-29 years | 2022 | 93% | 7% |
| Age | 30-34 years | 2020 | 94% | 6% |
| Age | 30-34 years | 2022 | 92% | 8% |
| Age | 35-39 years | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Age | 35-39 years | 2022 | 92% | 8% |
| Age | 40-44 years | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Age | 40-44 years | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Age | 45-49 years | 2020 | 91% | 9% |
| Age | 45-49 years | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Age | 50-54 years | 2020 | 91% | 9% |
| Age | 50-54 years | 2022 | 89% | 11% |
| Age | 55-59 years | 2020 | 90% | 10% |
| Age | 55-59 years | 2022 | 89% | 11% |
| Age | 60 years and older | 2020 | 91% | 9% |
| Age | 60 years and older | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Disability | Persons with a disability (Total) | 2020 | 91% | 9% |
| Disability | Persons with a disability (Total) | 2022 | 89% | 11% |
| Disability | Persons without a disability | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Disability | Persons without a disability | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| First official language | English | 2020 | 94% | 6% |
| First official language | English | 2022 | 93% | 7% |
| First official language | French | 2020 | 86% | 14% |
| First official language | French | 2022 | 84% | 16% |
| Gender | Another gender | 2020 | 100% | 0% |
| Gender | Another gender | 2022 | 86% | 14% |
| Gender | Man | 2020 | 90% | 10% |
| Gender | Man | 2022 | 89% | 11% |
| Gender | Woman | 2020 | 94% | 6% |
| Gender | Woman | 2022 | 94% | 6% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous people | 2020 | 88% | 12% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous people | 2022 | 92% | 8% |
| Indigenous | Non-Indigenous people | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Indigenous | Non-Indigenous people | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Province/territory of work | Alberta | 2020 | 90% | 10% |
| Province/territory of work | Alberta | 2022 | 90% | 10% |
| Province/territory of work | British Columbia | 2020 | 93% | 7% |
| Province/territory of work | British Columbia | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Province/territory of work | Manitoba | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Province/territory of work | Manitoba | 2022 | 95% | 5% |
| Province/territory of work | National Capital Region | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Province/territory of work | National Capital Region | 2022 | 92% | 8% |
| Province/territory of work | New Brunswick | 2020 | 88% | 12% |
| Province/territory of work | New Brunswick | 2022 | 88% | 12% |
| Province/territory of work | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2020 | 99% | 1% |
| Province/territory of work | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2022 | 99% | 1% |
| Province/territory of work | Northwest Territories | 2020 | 100% | 0% |
| Province/territory of work | Northwest Territories | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Province/territory of work | Nova Scotia | 2020 | 93% | 7% |
| Province/territory of work | Nova Scotia | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Province/territory of work | Ontario (excluding National Capital Region) | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Province/territory of work | Ontario (excluding National Capital Region) | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Province/territory of work | Outside of Canada | 2020 | 92% | 8% |
| Province/territory of work | Outside of Canada | 2022 | 87% | 13% |
| Province/territory of work | Quebec (excluding National Capital Region) | 2020 | 89% | 11% |
| Province/territory of work | Quebec (excluding National Capital Region) | 2022 | 87% | 13% |
| Province/territory of work | Saskatchewan | 2020 | 91% | 9% |
| Province/territory of work | Saskatchewan | 2022 | 85% | 15% |
| Racialized group | Non-racialized, non-Indigenous people population | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Racialized group | Racialized, non-Indigenous people population | 2022 | 92% | 8% |
| Sexual orientation | Does not identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ | 2022 | 91% | 9% |
| Sexual orientation | Identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ | 2022 | 90% | 10% |
Senior managers in my department use both official languages in their interactions with employees:
| category | subcategory | Year | % Agree | % Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Overall | 2020 | 66% | 34% |
| Overall | Overall | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Age | 24 years and under | 2020 | 75% | 25% |
| Age | 24 years and under | 2022 | 71% | 29% |
| Age | 25-29 years | 2020 | 71% | 29% |
| Age | 25-29 years | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| Age | 30-34 years | 2020 | 65% | 35% |
| Age | 30-34 years | 2022 | 72% | 28% |
| Age | 35-39 years | 2020 | 65% | 35% |
| Age | 35-39 years | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| Age | 40-44 years | 2020 | 67% | 33% |
| Age | 40-44 years | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| Age | 45-49 years | 2020 | 66% | 34% |
| Age | 45-49 years | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| Age | 50-54 years | 2020 | 67% | 33% |
| Age | 50-54 years | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| Age | 55-59 years | 2020 | 63% | 37% |
| Age | 55-59 years | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Age | 60 years and older | 2020 | 67% | 33% |
| Age | 60 years and older | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| Disability | Persons with a disability (Total) | 2020 | 64% | 36% |
| Disability | Persons with a disability (Total) | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| Disability | Persons without a disability | 2020 | 66% | 34% |
| Disability | Persons without a disability | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| First official language | English | 2020 | 66% | 34% |
| First official language | English | 2022 | 70% | 30% |
| First official language | French | 2020 | 65% | 35% |
| First official language | French | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| Gender | Another gender | 2020 | 88% | 12% |
| Gender | Another gender | 2022 | 87% | 13% |
| Gender | Man | 2020 | 64% | 36% |
| Gender | Man | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| Gender | Woman | 2020 | 68% | 32% |
| Gender | Woman | 2022 | 70% | 30% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous people | 2020 | 54% | 46% |
| Indigenous | Indigenous people | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Indigenous | Non-Indigenous people | 2020 | 66% | 34% |
| Indigenous | Non-Indigenous people | 2022 | 68% | 32% |
| Province/territory of work | Alberta | 2020 | 48% | 52% |
| Province/territory of work | Alberta | 2022 | 52% | 48% |
| Province/territory of work | British Columbia | 2020 | 39% | 61% |
| Province/territory of work | British Columbia | 2022 | 47% | 53% |
| Province/territory of work | Manitoba | 2020 | 64% | 36% |
| Province/territory of work | Manitoba | 2022 | 61% | 39% |
| Province/territory of work | National Capital Region | 2020 | 76% | 24% |
| Province/territory of work | National Capital Region | 2022 | 75% | 25% |
| Province/territory of work | New Brunswick | 2020 | 63% | 37% |
| Province/territory of work | New Brunswick | 2022 | 64% | 36% |
| Province/territory of work | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2020 | 55% | 45% |
| Province/territory of work | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2022 | 60% | 40% |
| Province/territory of work | Northwest Territories | 2020 | 69% | 31% |
| Province/territory of work | Northwest Territories | 2022 | 76% | 24% |
| Province/territory of work | Nova Scotia | 2020 | 48% | 52% |
| Province/territory of work | Nova Scotia | 2022 | 51% | 49% |
| Province/territory of work | Ontario (excluding National Capital Region) | 2020 | 63% | 37% |
| Province/territory of work | Ontario (excluding National Capital Region) | 2022 | 66% | 34% |
| Province/territory of work | Outside of Canada | 2020 | 80% | 20% |
| Province/territory of work | Outside of Canada | 2022 | 92% | 8% |
| Province/territory of work | Quebec (excluding National Capital Region) | 2020 | 73% | 27% |
| Province/territory of work | Quebec (excluding National Capital Region) | 2022 | 72% | 28% |
| Province/territory of work | Saskatchewan | 2020 | 58% | 42% |
| Province/territory of work | Saskatchewan | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| Racialized group | Non-racialized, non-Indigenous people population | 2022 | 67% | 33% |
| Racialized group | Racialized, non-Indigenous people population | 2022 | 75% | 25% |
| Sexual orientation | Does not identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ | 2022 | 69% | 31% |
| Sexual orientation | Identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ | 2022 | 63% | 37% |
Data Source: Public Service Employee Survey (2020-2022)
First official language (FOL) preference
The metrics below indicate the percentage of CAF members and DND public service employees that prefer English or French as their First official language. For comparative figures, Statistics Canada publishes data on first official language spoken most often at home and languages used at work for the Canadian population.
CAF members
| First official language | % of member |
|---|---|
| English | 75.93% |
| French | 24.07% |
Data Source: CAF HR Management System (Last Updated: 2023/07/31)
DND public service employees
| First Official Language | % of employees |
|---|---|
| English | 76.11% |
| French | 23.89% |
Data Source: DND HR Management System (Last Updated: 2023/07/11)
Data sources
For details on the methodology of data analysis, including descriptions of each data source, please visit the list of data sources page.
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