New report highlights barriers limiting English-speaking women’s participation in Montréal’s labour market 

Research points to higher unemployment, lower incomes and gaps in French-language training and employment supports

MONTRÉAL, October 1, 2026 — As Québec looks to strengthen its workforce and help more people participate fully in the economy, new research from the Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) highlights persistent barriers facing unemployed and labour-market-distant English-speaking women in Montréal.

Towards a More Inclusive Future: Understanding the Challenges and Needs of Unemployed and Labour-Market-Distant English-Speaking Women in Montréal, developed with the support of Y des femmes de Montréal, examines how gender and linguistic identity intersect to shape women’s access to employment, income and economic security. The study draws on Census data, an environmental scan, and interviews and focus groups with 30 unemployed and labour-market-distant English-speaking women in Montréal.

The report finds that English-speaking women in Montréal experience significant labour-market disparities. Their unemployment rate stood at 11.6%, compared with 8.9% among French-speaking women, while their median employment income was $27,000 — $5,400 less than French-speaking women and $5,800 less than English-speaking men.

These challenges persist despite relatively high levels of education and bilingualism. Among unemployed English-speaking women identified in Census data, 66.3% held a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree and 60.6% identified as bilingual.

“Québec cannot afford to leave qualified and experienced workers on the sidelines,” said Sta Kuzviwanza, Executive Director of PERT. “The women reflected in this research want to participate, improve their French and contribute to Québec’s economy. The challenge is ensuring that the right pathways and supports are available to help them do so.”

French emerged as the most significant employment barrier. All 30 research participants identified French-language skills as a major challenge in finding work, including some women who already considered themselves bilingual but felt like employers did not recognize their French proficiency. Participants highlighted the need for more accessible, practical and workplace-focused French-language learning, including opportunities to develop conversational skills and sector-specific vocabulary.

The research also highlights the importance of looking beyond language alone. Caregiving responsibilities, childcare access, hiring practices, gaps in employment history and the cost of retraining can all affect women’s ability to enter or return to the workforce. Additionally, more partnerships are needed with employers to offer short-term internships or job-shadowing positions for French-language learners, as well as more sensitization to help hiring managers to better assess the language skills of language learners. The report also underscores the importance of ensuring English-speaking women can access English-language employment services equipped to address these intersecting barriers.

The report calls for greater investment in English-language employment services, expanded access to practical and workplace-focused French-language learning, affordable reskilling and upskilling, childcare and other wraparound supports. It also recommends stronger partnerships between employers and English-language employment service providers to create clearer pathways from training and employment support into the workforce.

“Supporting French-language acquisition and improving labour-market participation should not be viewed as competing objectives,” Kuzviwanza added. “Giving people the tools to work confidently in French, while ensuring they can access employment support in English when needed, can strengthen both workers and Québec’s economy.”

The report shows that improving employment outcomes for English-speaking women is an opportunity to mobilize educated, experienced workers, strengthen their capacity to work in French, and ensure Québec benefits from talent already here.

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About PERT

The Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT) is a non-profit multi-stakeholder initiative focused on addressing the employment and employability challenges facing Québec’s English-speaking community.

About Y des femmes

Established in 1875, Y des femmes de Montréal is a community organization dedicated to supporting women and girls across Montréal for over 150 years, grounded in core values of equity, inclusion, non-violence, respect and solidarity.

Media Contact

Chad Walcott
Director of Public Affairs
Provincial Employment Roundtable (PERT)
Email: chad@pertquebec.ca