By Balwant Sanghera
Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA) is pleased to note that the 2021 Census figures have placed number of speakers of Punjabi Language at 942,170.
This is a substantial increase from the 2016 Census figures.
PLEA is very thankful to all of the well-wishers of Punjabi and the South Asian media for their assistance in this regard.
Statistics Canada had divided the language question into three categories: A) speakers of Punjabi as their mother tongue; B) speakers of Punjabi who spoke it most often at home; C) knowledge of Punjabi as one of the non-official language.
The numbers in each category were: A) 763, 785 (an increase of 40.5% since 2016). B) 827,150 (an increase of 45% since 2016). C) 942,170 (an increase of 41% since 2016).
The Census 2021 figures indicate that Ontario has the largest number of Punjabi speakers at 397, 865 followed by BC at 315,000 and Alberta at 126, 365 as of May 10, 2021.
PLEA is pleased that its campaign last year for encouraging speakers and well-wishers of Punjabi Language to actively participate in the 2021 Census was very successful. For this, we are thankful to everyone who chose Punjabi. Also we are very thankful to the South Asian electronic and print media for their on-going support.
