English and French language ability and the employability of immigrants in Canada

Abstract

PurposeBoth potential immigrants to Canada and policymakers in Canada continually compare and contrast the economic returns of immigrants' language ability and proficiency. They ask which of the two official languages has a higher economic return in terms of employment and earning. This study examines how ability and proficiency in Canada's two official languages, separately and/or jointly, influences immigrants' quick absorption into the labour market.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses all three waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada (LSIC) and employs logistic regression on the relationship between employability, language ability/proficiency and various non-linguistic factors.FindingsThe study reports that language ability in French is as valuable as language ability in English for immigrants who are aspiring to work, full-time or part-time, when they arrive in Canada. The advantages of language ability and proficiency continue a few years after an immigrant's arrival. Using disaggregated speaking, reading and writing competencies, the authors observe that speaking proficiency in English has a greater impact on employability than reading and writing in English.Originality/valueThere are very few studies looking at the effects of language ability and proficiency on the employability of immigrants in countries with multiple official languages. Most studies are mainly focused on earning and not employability. This study is focused on employability, particularly in the context of Canada. Furthermore, this study specifically disaggregates the impact of speaking, reading and writing competencies in both languages on employment in Canada.

Labour force participation of immigrant women in Canada: With a special focus on female immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa

“…Regarding the class of immigrants, the odds of participating in the labour market subsequently decline for the refugee class compared to the economic class immigrants. This is in line with the literature that suggests that economic class intergrade into the labour market quicker than those who migrate involuntarily (Gerhards & Hans, 2009; Solati et al, 2021). For Wave 5, the difference between family class and economic class is insignificant, but for subsequent waves, family class immigrants have lower odds to participate in the labour force compared to economic class immigrants.…”

“…In terms of language proficiency, the advantage of French proficiency disappears in 2005 but becomes positive, increasing and significant in the following waves. English proficiency has a positive effect on the odds of labour market participation across waves consistent with the literature (Solati et al, 2021). Compared to Wave 1, spousal income at the 90th percentile becomes insignificant in all subsequent waves after arrival.…”

Double standard policy: why are immigrants still at the tail of welfare?

“…As a result, typical immigrant households have a much higher propensity for being “permanently” on welfare. Migrants have substantially longer durations of unemployment than natives (Carpentier et al ., 2017; Busetta et al ., 2020; Solati et al ., 2022). Busk (2016) finds that immigrants receiving unemployment insurance benefit are more likely to be sanctioned than natives.…”