How Multilingualism Shapes Montréal’s Global Business Scene

There aren’t many streets in Montréal where you would only hear the same language being spoken by all passersby on your walk. Often, you will hear a combination of French and English, French and a foreign language, or French, English, and several other languages, which you may not even recognize.

As a Brazilian-born, Portuguese-speaking Montrealer, I find the experience of this multilingualism and multiculturalism still as fascinating as when I first landed in the snowy metropolis on a frigid minus 30-degree day many years ago. Nearly two decades later, it has been intriguing to witness the small but steady growth in the number of my fellow nationals, as I hear more and more Brazilian Portuguese mixed in with the now two or three generations-old European Portuguese in Québec.

The number of immigrants in Montréal keeps booming. You can easily see this social phenomenon just by taking the occasional 10-minute walk to run errands at the nearest “dep” (the English nickname for the famous Montréal corner store, called “dépanneur” in French).

In the midst of this growing multiculturalism and multilingualism, coupled with Montréal being one of the most important cities in North America, the people of Québec, the province where the city is located, are rightfully concerned with preserving and promoting their French heritage. It doesn’t suffice to simply learn how to go about your day in French and order a coffee at Tim Hortons. When store clerks along Sainte-Catherine Street, the busy commercial artery in the heart of downtown, greet you with the classic “Bonjour-Hi” as you enter their establishment, choosing the first option to continue the conversation is only the bare minimum.

Looking at language as more than a means of communication is giving yourself a chance to thrive in the Montréal market. Language is only the entry point to the identity, values, beliefs, and behaviours of all people living in Québec’s largest city—and taking it seriously opens up opportunities to not only grow a business on the island, but also tap into international markets, with world-class talent, infrastructure, and an environment conducive to innovation at your fingertips.

A Global Workforce: Montréal’s Linguistic Tapestry

Montréal isn’t known for its language diversity simply because of the number of native speakers of English, French, and other languages. Multilingualism is part of the daily life of many individuals in the metropolis, who are often capable of speaking two or more languages fluently. According to Statistics Canada:

“Of Canada’s biggest cities, Montréal stands out for its complex and diverse language dynamics. This is first and foremost because of a large English-language minority in the city, but also because of high rates of multilingualism among its population.

Among workers in the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA), 80% were at least bilingual (69% English–French bilingual) and 28% were at least trilingual—by far the highest proportions among Canada’s large urban centres.”

– Statistics Canada: Languages at work: Spotlight on Montréal

This rich linguistic landscape stems from Montréal’s history as a major immigration destination, attracting people from all corners of the world. Today, nearly 25% of Montrealers speak a language other than French or English at home, creating a unique business environment where cultural fluency is just as valuable as professional expertise.

This diversity provides businesses with a competitive advantage. Companies in Montréal have access to a workforce that can communicate with international clients, partners, and suppliers in their native language, fostering stronger relationships and market expansion opportunities. Additionally, Montréal’s highly educated population and its globally connected talent pool make it an ideal location for multinational corporations looking for multilingual professionals.

The Québec Zeal for the French Language

While multilingualism is a defining feature of Montréal, it coexists with the French-Canadian population’s deep-rooted attachment to the French language. Quebecers take immense pride in their linguistic heritage, seeing French not just as a means of communication but as a core aspect of their identity and culture.

To preserve and promote the use of French in public life and business, the Québec government has implemented laws and policies aimed at ensuring its predominance. The Charter of the French Language, commonly known as Bill 101, mandates that French be the primary language of work, commerce, and government. Recent amendments have strengthened these regulations, requiring businesses to prioritize French in signage, customer interactions, and workplace communication.

Read More:
Three Ways Bill 96 Will Affect Quebec Businesses (And How You Can Be Ready for It)
What to Know About Entering the Canadian Market and French Language Laws

For businesses operating in Montréal, understanding and adhering to these linguistic requirements is crucial. While embracing multilingualism can offer competitive advantages, companies must also ensure compliance with language laws to build trust with local consumers and the government. Navigating this balance effectively allows businesses to thrive while respecting Québec’s strong cultural and linguistic identity.

Read More: Unlocking Opportunities: The Advantages of Entering the Montréal Market

It’s important to remember that, as part of Québec’s geography and history, its government and people are most concerned with the adoption of the English language, and not so much with the preferred tongue of most immigrants. While English has not particularly grown as the mother tongue of Montréal residents, the greater risk considered by authorities is the use of English as a workplace language.

It’s only natural that multinational companies, or even companies based elsewhere in Canada with a branch in Montréal, would gravitate towards English to communicate on a larger scale. But it is a priority to not simply allow, but to promote and encourage the use of the French language in internal communications inside the province. Equally important, English proficiency should not be listed as a requirement in the hiring process, unless absolutely necessary.

There is no need to struggle with these requirements, though, as there are ample resources, professional advisors and language professionals that will be able to guide any business’s entry into Montréal and ensure a smooth process as they settle here.

Key Languages Driving Montréal’s Business Ecosystem

While French and English dominate, several other languages play a crucial role in Montréal’s economy:

• Spanish: With growing economic ties between Canada and Latin America, Spanish-speaking professionals are increasingly in demand. Montréal-based businesses benefit from employees who can navigate Latin American markets and connect with Spanish-speaking consumers locally and abroad.
• Mandarin and Cantonese: Montréal has a strong Chinese community, contributing to trade relations with China, one of Canada’s largest trading partners. The presence of Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking professionals facilitates business dealings, particularly in industries like technology, real estate, and international trade.
• Arabic: A significant and growing Arabic-speaking population in Montréal supports business connections with the Middle East and North Africa. Companies looking to engage in international trade, finance, and energy sectors can leverage Arabic-speaking talent to establish trust and build networks in these regions.
• Italian, Portuguese, and Creole: Other linguistic communities contribute to Montréal’s international business dynamics, fostering trade and cultural exchange with Europe, Brazil, and Caribbean nations.

A significant differentiating factor for Montréal is that its language and culture tapestry is unique in comparison to other Canadian big cities. While in Vancouver and Toronto, Southeast Asian languages dominate outside English, in Montréal there are more people connected to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas south of the United States.

Of note about French-speaking people in Montréal: given their obvious advantage and historical link, European French and Francophones from other parts of the world are also attracted by the opportunities in Québec. These are communities that, while communicating in the same language as Montrealers (aside from occasional accents and vocabulary differences), still have their own cultural identity that is different from Québec’s. These differences allow for greater reach also in Europe and other French-speaking countries.

Multilingualism as a Business Advantage

For businesses operating in Montréal, embracing multilingualism is not just a nice-to-have—it is a strategic necessity. Here are some ways businesses can leverage Montréal’s linguistic diversity:

1. Expanding Market Reach

By hiring multilingual professionals, companies can break into new markets with ease. Whether expanding into Latin America, China, or the Middle East, having employees who understand the language and cultural nuances of these regions provide a significant competitive edge.

2. Improving Customer Experience

Multilingual customer support is a game changer for businesses in a city as diverse as Montréal. Offering services in multiple languages improves customer satisfaction and loyalty, helping brands build deeper connections with diverse audiences.

3. Strengthening International Trade Relations

Companies engaged in import/export, logistics, and international business negotiations can benefit immensely from multilingual employees who can communicate with foreign partners in their native language. This reduces misunderstandings, fosters trust, and leads to better business outcomes.

• Aside from the topic of language, note that although Montréal is located over 1,000 km from the Atlantic Ocean, the Port of Montréal is the second most important in Canada, with connections to over 140 countries. Many businesses operate on contract with several third parties in many different countries. For businesses in the sale of goods, being in Montréal gives them a supply chain advantage. In addition to talent who are able to communicate with suppliers in many regions globally, Montréal’s international connectivity becomes even more tangible as an asset.

4. Localized Marketing and Content Strategies

For businesses looking to connect with diverse audiences, multilingual content creation is key. Crafting marketing campaigns, websites, and social media content in multiple languages allows companies to engage with customers in a more meaningful way.

Given the very nature of bilingualism in Montréal and Canada, content marketing professionals in the city are used to a multilingual approach in their day-to-day tasks. They strategically plan to reach different segments in their own region, always being careful with translations and to include both French and English speakers in their plans. Adding a third or fourth language to their workflow would present challenges, but Montréal marketing professionals are up to the task and have valuable experience to ensure the success of new ventures.

The Role of Language Services in Business Success

A great thing about Montréal and its workforce is that they know better than anyone about every single topic discussed here. They have full knowledge of the demands of the French language, their identity, their laws, and even the immigrant communities that decide to make Montréal their home. As such, there is already an abundance of companies and professionals with many years of experience, ready and equipped to provide assistance and cover every need in terms of language and content.

In short, we know that navigating Montréal’s multilingual environment requires strategic communication. Here are a few services that you can find in Montréal that will help any business settle, grow, and succeed here:

• Translation and Localization: Ensuring that marketing material, websites, and legal documents are accurately translated and culturally adapted for different audiences.
  • Specifically, Francization services will also guarantee compliance with all of Québec’s laws and non-negotiables regarding the use of French in the workplace.
• Interpretation Services: Facilitating real-time communication for meetings, negotiations, and customer interactions.
• Content Strategy and Creation: Developing multilingual content that resonates with diverse target markets.

Conclusion

Montréal’s multilingual landscape is a powerful asset for businesses looking to thrive in a globalized world. Beyond French and English, the city’s linguistic diversity opens the door to international markets, enhances customer relationships, and fosters innovation. Companies that embrace and leverage multilingualism in their strategies will not only strengthen their position in Montréal but also gain a competitive edge on the global stage. In an increasingly interconnected business environment, the ability to communicate across languages is not just a benefit—it is a necessity.

On a purely personal note, the sense of accomplishment that comes with knowing how to properly pronounce the name of many kinds of delicious culinary delights from different countries in many languages is something that I strongly recommend as part of anyone’s work-life balance. Businesses and their employees stand only to gain in the land of the best croissants and chocolatines in the Americas.