Young Quebecers care less about receiving services in English than older adults: survey

MONTREAL — A new survey conducted for Quebec’s language watchdog finds that younger Quebecers are far less interested than older residents in being served in English in stores.

In a report released this week, the watchdog says 41 percent of customers ages 18 to 34 reported indifference to being served in English.

The rate is 29 per cent for Quebecers aged 35 to 54 and 30 per cent for Quebecers aged 55 and older.

More than 3,800 respondents from across the state responded to Segma Recherche’s telephone survey, conducted between November 7, 2023 and December 15, 2023.

The survey showed that about 78 per cent of respondents across Quebec preferred to receive service in French, 14 per cent did not and 8 per cent preferred to receive service in English.

But the survey also showed that the percentage of customers who prefer French service on the Island of Montreal and surrounding suburbs dropped from 74.3 per cent in 2010 to 67.8 per cent in 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 20, 2024.

Canadian Press