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Location : Publications > Statistical Profiles > Francophones in Ontario--Regional Characteristics

REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS - Francophones in Ontario

CENTRAL ONTARIO

Most Francophones (54%) who belong to a racial minority are concentrated in Central Ontario, where they represent almost 15% of the Francophone population. Three out of five Francophones in Central Ontario were born outside the province, and nearly one-third are from Quebec.

Francophones in Central Ontario are better off than the general population of the region. The percentage of Francophones with postsecondary education is higher than that of the general population. Seventeen percent of Francophones in the region have an undergraduate degree.

Francophones' unemployment rate is lower than that of the general population of the region, and their labour force participation is higher than the regional population's. In addition, the average employment income and total average income of Francophones in the region are substantially higher than those of the general population. Given the higher level of education in Central Ontario, not surprisingly, Francophones' average employment income and total average income are higher than in the other regions.

NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO

Northeastern Ontario has the highest concentration of Francophones: one person out of four is a Francophone. The percentage of Francophones born in Ontario is higher in this region than elsewhere in Ontario. More than four out of five Francophones were born in the province.

Francophones in Northeastern Ontario are socio-economically disadvantaged in comparison to Francophones in other regions, but this is also true of the region's general population. Overall, Northeastern Ontarians are less well off than the general population in other regions.

Francophones' level of education is lower in Northeastern Ontario than in the other regions. Only 6% of Francophones have an undergraduate degree. The level of education of the general population is lower in Northeastern Ontario than in the other regions as well. Francophones' average employment income and total income are lower than elsewhere in the province, as they are for the general population. Francophones' unemployment rate is higher in Northeastern Ontario, a trend that also applies to the general population.

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Northwestern Ontario is home to less than 2% of the Francophone population. A relatively large percentage of Francophones in the region are from Quebec (30.8%). As in Northeastern Ontario, Francophones have a lower level of education and a relatively high unemployment rate, as does the general population of the region.

However, Francophones' average employment income and total income are substantially higher than in Northeastern Ontario, and the income of Francophones in the region is higher than the general population's. A relatively large percentage of Francophones work in the forestry and mining sectors (9% and 7.2%), compared to only 3% of the general population in the region.

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Francophones in Southwestern Ontario represent less than 3% of the total population of the region, and this Francophone population is aging. Close to one out of four Francophones in the region is 65 and over, compared to 13% of the general population. Consequently, labour force participation is lower than elsewhere in Ontario.

EASTERN ONTARIO

Eastern Ontario is home to 40% of the province's Francophone population, and to 40% of the Francophone population from racial minorities. Eastern Ontario is the only region whose Francophone population increased between 1991 and 1996. Although Francophones are a smaller percentage of the total population than in Northeastern Ontario, retention of French is higher, perhaps in part because of the region's proximity to Quebec and the availability of French language media.

The level of education of Francophones in the region is relatively high, a trend that also applies to the general population, but Francophones' average employment income and total income are relatively low in comparison to other regions. The unemployment rate is lower than in Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario. A relatively large percentage of the Francophone population in the region are employed in the public sector–nearly one out of five Francophones, compared to 15% of the general population.

Statistical Profile - Francophones in Ontario - Table of Contents