According to census data, 6.6 million Canadians are speaking languages other than English and French at home. The languages themselves come from a variety of different corners of the world, and this is probably no big surprise to observant people, who have likely noticed the sounds of unfamiliar words as they move around the city. It's also something that I would argue is, on the whole, quite positive.
There is only one reason why there would be an increase in new languages spoken in Canada. It's immigration, and clearly many people believe that coming to this country is going to be a positive change for their family. Our economy is doing relatively well in a time when the rest of the world is having serious problems, and people are spending a great deal of effort to move here and make a living. That's a good thing on the whole, and these immigrants are a major part of the country's growth.
Of course, there will be those who angrily proclaim that these folks should learn one of the official languages, but just speaking a language at home doesn't mean that the people don't know English or French. It is going to be very difficult to do much in Canada without learning at least one of those languages, and people are going to try to do so if they plan on living here for an extended period of time. That doesn't actually apply to the language spoken at home, however, because at home is a different environment than the public. People will always be more comfortable in the language they grew up speaking, and that's going to be the greatest influence on what they speak at home.
I know of many people who had lived in Canada for decades but still would default to their native tongue at home because that's what they know best. Learning a different language is difficult, and even highly intelligent people who have been speaking a second language for a long time can struggle with the unfamiliar words. That's why when they are at home or with their families, they return to the default. To equate words with clothing, it's the same reason why one might dress differently for work than for just staying at home, one way is required to look right for the job, the other is comfortable and easy.
Since this is a country of immigrants, it's always good to see more people come to join us. Many of us can track down the relatives that first decided to pack everything, leave home, and start a life in this relatively young nation. Some families have been around for a very long time, others not so much. On my father's side, my grandparents came around the 1930s, which is relatively recently, and all of their children and grandchildren have a strong connection to this country and the many benefits that being Canadian can afford us.
When someone immigrates to a country, it's not just them who come. It's their children, grandchildren, and everyone after who keep building their new country, from the moment they arrive to the many years after they have been established. Of the millions of people speaking different languages at home, there will be many who contribute greatly to their new communities and foster an appreciation for their home in subsequent generations. I'm personally pleased to see the country attracting new people.
