Latest stats on the “two solitudes” (and then some)

According to the 2001 census, eight percent of Quebecers consider themselves to be “anglophones.” That is a declining number, and the rate of decline is on the increase. Of those who remain, two-thirds consider themselves to be English-French bilingual. In contrast, one-third of Francophones consider themselves to be English-French bilingual.

At first glance you might think that a random Francophone in Montreal is less likely to be bilingual than a random Anglophone. However, one has to factor in the urban/rural divide. The rate of Francophone bilingualism here in the city is much higher than it is down on the farms.

Another statistic: More allophones (people whose mother tongue is neither English nor French) are speaking French at home than previously. (Source: CBC Montreal.)