Dictionary, Census of Population, 2021
Language used most often at work

Definition

Language used most often at work refers to the language the person uses most often at work. A person can report more than one language as "used most often at work" if the languages are used equally often.

Statistical unit(s)

• Person 15 years or over

Classification(s)

• Collapsed classification of languages 2021
• Languages 2021 - Inuit languages variant
• List of languages 2021
• List of languages 2021 - Indigenous languages variant
• List of languages 2021 - total responses

Reported in

2021 and 2016 (25% sample); 2011^{Footnote 1} (30% sample); 2006 and 2001 (20% sample).

Reported for

Population aged 15 years and older, in private households, who worked since January 1, 2020

Question number(s)

Direct variable: Question 50b)

Responses

Refer to figures 2.4, 2.4A, 2.4B, 2.4C, 2.4D, 2.4E, 2.4F, 2.4G, 2.4H, 2.4I, 2.4J and 2.4K for the detailed list of languages disseminated in the 2021 Census. A comparison of languages disseminated in the 2021, 2016 and 2011 censuses is available in Appendix 2.2.

Remarks

The language of work question (Question 50) was divided into the following two parts:

a) In this job, what language(s) did this person use on a regular basis?

b) Of these languages, which one did this person use most often in this job?

"Language used most often at work" is a direct variable from Question 50b) on the census questionnaire.

A note accompanying Question 50b) on both the paper and electronic questionnaires stated "Indicate more than one language only if they were used equally at work."

The following additional instructions on how to complete the question on the language used most often at work (Question 50b)) were provided to respondents via a help button accessible in the electronic questionnaire:

• Report the language used most often at work. Report more than one language only if all languages are used equally often.
• Report the language used to speak, read or write to perform a job or a major task.
• Do not report a language used only during coffee, lunch or other rest breaks.
• Respondents who are deaf or respondents who have a speech impairment should report knowledge of English, French, both or neither, by selecting the appropriate option. Knowledge of other languages, including sign languages, should be entered in the type‑in box labelled "Other language".
• When reporting other languages, be specific. For example, people who report Chinese should instead report the specific Chinese language: Cantonese, Mandarin, Hakka, Min Nan, Min Dong, Wu, Pu‑Xian, Xiang, Gan, Huizhou, Jinyu, Dungan, Min Bei or Min Zhong.
• If the person held more than one job, they should answer question 50b) for the job at which they worked the most hours.

Do not report a language that this person speaks solely at home even if this person now works from home (for example, because of the COVID‑19 pandemic).

Since 2001, the census has measured three language of work concepts: all languages used at work, the language used most often at work, and other languages used regularly at work. While the concepts themselves remain intact, both the way in which the question is asked and the process to obtain the variables have changed for the 2021 Census.

In 2021, the first part of the question (Question 50a)) asked for all languages used on a regular basis at work. Those who did not report English only or French only were asked which language they use most often at work (Question 50b)). This is different from the 2016 Census, which first asked respondents to report the language they used most often at work and then asked for any other languages used on a regular basis at work.

For more information on language variables, including information on their classifications, the questions from which they are derived, data quality and their comparability with other sources of data, please refer to the Languages Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Note(s)

Related 2021 data products

• Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population (98-316-X2021001)
• Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population (98-404-X2021001)
• Census Program Data Viewer (CPDV) (98-507-X2021001)
• All languages used at work by single and multiple responses of language used at work and mother tongue: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (98-10-0529-01)
• All languages used at work by single and multiple responses of language used at work, mother tongue and industry: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0528-01)
• First official language spoken by languages used at work, immigrant status and place of birth: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts (98-10-0521-01)
• First official language spoken by mobility status 5 years ago, language used most often at work and highest level of education: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts (98-10-0367-01)
• Languages used at work by employment income statistics, immigrant status and highest certificate, diploma or degree: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0530-01)
• Languages used at work by industry and occupation: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0520-01)
• Languages used at work by industry groups and knowledge of official languages: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0531-01)
• Languages used at work by knowledge of official languages and highest certificate, diploma or degree: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts (98-10-0519-01)
• Languages used at work by languages used at home, immigrant status and period of immigration: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0524-01)
• Languages used at work by mother tongue and industry: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0526-01)
• Languages used at work by mother tongue and knowledge of official languages: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts (98-10-0533-01)
• Languages used at work by mother tongue, immigrant status and occupation: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0525-01)
• Languages used at work by mother tongue, industry and highest certificate, diploma or degree: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts (98-10-0527-01)
• Languages used at work by mother tongue: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (98-10-0522-01)
• Languages used at work by occupation and knowledge of official languages: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts (98-10-0532-01)