French and English are the official languages of Canada and are most commonly spoken. Although the majority of the French Canadian population resides within the province of Quebec, there are many smaller French-speaking communities across the country. A multitude of languages are spoken by aboriginal people and immigrant communities of diverse origins, but most people in Canada speak French or English or both.

French

By law, French is the official language of the province of Québec.

Although many Québécois speak English and French, you will find that people react to you more favourably if you begin by making an effort to speak French, would it be one or two very basic expressions appearing at the beginning of the list below.

Here are some helpful phrases in Canadian English and Canadian French. Canadian English and Canadian French (marked as Cdn below) sometimes differs from International English and International French, but you should have no problem being understood if you stick to the International English or International French; it's similar to the differences between Canadian English and British English or Canadian French and French French:

The very basic ones ...

Hello/Good morning  – Bonjour.
Good evening – Bonsoir.
Yes – Oui.
No – Non.
Okay – D’accord.
Please – S’il te plaît (familiar) / S’il vous plaît (formal/plural)

Thank you – Merci

You’re welcome – Bienvenue (Cdn) / De rien (familiar)

Have a good day! – Bonne journée!

Good-bye – Au revoir. ..... which actually means 'see you again'.

Also ...

I am sorry -- Désolé / Je suis désolé(e) / Je m'excuse

How are you? – Comment vas-tu (familiar) / Comment allez-vous? (formal/plural)  / Comment ça va? / Ça va?
I am fine, thank you. – Bien, merci. (Literally, "Fine, thanks.")
I feel sick. – Je suis malade.
Excuse me – Pardon / Pardonnez-moi / Excusez-moi /  'Scuse (famliar, Cdn) / Madame/Monsieur! (to get a stranger's attention)

Do you speak English? – Parlez-vous anglais? 
I don’t speak French – Je ne parle pas français / j'parle pas français  (familiar)
I don’t understand – Je ne comprends pas / j'comprends pas (familiar)
Please repeat. – Répétez, s’il vous plaît / Pouvez-vous répéter?
What? – Quoi?
I would like... – J'aimerais...
I'll have... (in a restaurant) – Je prendrais / J'aimerais commander...
The bill, please... – L'addition, s'il vous plaît / La facture, s'il vous plaît (Cdn)
What is it? – Qu’est-ce que c’est / C'est quoi ça? (Cdn - familiar))
What is your name? – Comment t’appelles-tu?  C'est quoi ton nom? (Cdn) / Vous vous appelez comment? C'est quoi votre nom? (Cdn)
My name is… –  Je m’appelle… / Mon nom est ...
Pleased to meet you – Enchanté (if you're a man) / Enchantée (woman)
Where are the bathrooms? – Où sont les toilettes?
How much does it cost? – C'est combien? / Cela coûte combien?
May I speak to…? – Puis-je parler à…?
Where is...? – Où est...?
Who is there? – Qui est là?
Who is it? – Qui est-ce?
Can you help me? – Peux-tu m’aider? Pouvez-vous m’aider? (formal or plural)
Good luck! – Bonne chance!

Pronouncing Common Place Names

Most Canadians will pronounce Quebec "kay-bec" reflecting the proper French pronounciation, although "ke-bec" (first "e" short) is also used. Many visitors often mispronouce Quebec as "kwee-bec" or "kew-bec" 

According to Torontonians, the proper way to pronounce Toronto is "tronno" or at worst "toronno". Pronouncing the second "t" is an immediate sign that you are a visitor, no matter where you are in Canada. Similarly, the name of the nation's capital, Ottawa, is pronounced odd-a-wa.

The  way to pronounce Newfoundland is "NEW-fun-land" or "NEW-fund-land". Its stresses are as in "understand" - some stress on "New", none on "fund", and a fair bit on "land". "New-FOUND-land" is definitely frowned upon, particularly within Newfoundland. 

The capital of Saskatchewan is Regina. People familiar with Latin pronunciation will want to pronounce the second syllable like the word "gee",  but the correct pronunciation of the city's name rhymes with "sky". So "Regina" is pronounced to rhyme with "red sky nut", with the letter "g" given the soft "j" pronunciation.

The province of Alberta is Al-BERD-uh; the "t' is pronounced with "d" sound from coast to coast. And Calgary, Alberta, is pronounced "CAL-gree" by Albertans, and "CAL-guh-ree" outside of Alberta. "Cal-gary" (Gary pronounced like the man's name) is never heard.

Canada has three northern territories, in addition to ten provinces. The westernmost territory, which borders Alaska, is called " the Yukon" in conversation, never just "Yukon." ("I was born in the Yukon" is correct, while "I'm driving to Yukon" -- no "the" -- is incorrect.) However, "Whitehorse, Yukon" is the correct way to refer to places within the Yukon. Yukon is pronounced so as to rhyme with "few gone". The easternmost (and newest) territory is Nunavut, pronounced so as to rhyme with "soon a foot" (or "none-of-it" as some people jokingly refer to it). 

Canadian vs. American English

Although Canadian and American English may have many similarities, there are many differences and sometimes the knowledge of such differences will make you sound a bit more local, or help you to be understood more quickly.

Serviette vs. napkin at a restaurant: Canadians use both terms; Americans almost universally say napkin. Serviette usually refers to a paper napkin.

Bill vs. check at a restaurant:  Although Americans may ask for the "check" after a meal, Canadians almost always request the "bill", and requests for the "check"  may sometimes cause a little confusion.

Pop vs. soda: Canadians say pop, and soda typically means "club soda". Americans use both or either depending on region.

Washroom vs. restroom: Canadians prefer washroom and Americans prefer restroom. Bathroom is used commonly by both.

Tea vs. hot tea: When Canadians say "tea" they mean hot tea. If they want cold tea, they'll explicitly state "ice tea". In many parts of the U.S., the term "tea" is ambiguous, and you need to state hot or ice. Also, in Canada, "ice tea" is almost always by default a sweetened ice tea. In the USA, this would be called "sweet tea".  If you want unsweetened ice tea, make sure to say so.

American cheese: Canadians are generally unfamiliar with the term "American cheese"; the term that's used is "processed cheese" or just plain "cheese".

Canadian bacon: Canadians call this "back bacon", as fans of SCTV's Bob & Doug Mackenzie may recall. Regular strips of bacon are simply called "bacon" in both Canada and the USA.

"Brown bread" is the Canadian term for "wheat bread" or bread made from whole wheat. The term "wheat bread" may puzzle some Canadians, since it's all made from wheat.  Instead, order your sandwiches on "white" or "brown" bread.

Parkade (parking + arcade) is often used by Canadians for an above ground parking garage.

The "two-four": A uniquely Canadian phrase describing this common packaging for beer (cases of 24). In contrast, Americans count in terms of six packs (which are also available in Canada).

"Rye": Canadian whiskys (such as Canadian Club or Crown Royal) are called "rye" by Canadians. This term is not as familiar in the U.S. where the more popular brands of Canadian whiskey are referred to by their brand names.

"Mickey": In Canada the small size bottles (375ml) of liquor are called "mickies". Americans use the term "pint". 

Mickey D's is a common name for McDonald's in the U.S. The term is much less common in Canada where McDonald's is simply McDonald's. 

eh? vs. huh?: The stereotypical Canadian says eh? at the end of every statement whereas stereotypical Americans say huh. In real life you could talk to 20 Canadians for an hour and never hear it, eh?

You're welcome vs. uh huh: "Uh huh" is a very casual form of "you're welcome" in many parts of the U.S. It's rarely used in Canada and some may even find in a bit cold. (Occasionally, you will hear "mm-hmm" used in the same way, typically in response to a cashier saying "thank you" after a transaction.)

 "To table": In Canada, tabling means to bring up a topic for discussion. In the U.S., it means to put an issue aside for further discussion at a later time.

The fish "pickerel" is what Americans call "walleye" although the term "walleye" has begun slipping into the Canadian lingo recently. 

Canadians generally say they're "going to university" after high school. Americans will say they're "going to college".

Don't assume it's a mistake if you see "centre" or "theatre" or "labour" or "defence" (as a noun). Most Canadian newspapers and magazines, and many writers, follow the Canadian Press style guide, which reverted a few years ago to the British spellings after a flirtation with Americanization.

If you are a Canadian with a sweet tooth, you may want to pick up your favorite treat such as a Snickers, Oh Henry,  Kitkat, Caramilk, or 3 Musketeers "chocolate bar" .  In America the same person would look for a "candy bar".

In Canada, dates may be given in DD/MM/YY format or MM/DD/YY format. It's always best to write out the month, e.g. 12 Nov 2006 or Nov 12, 2006.

Canadian vs. British English

Speakers of British English and Canadian English can understand each other most of the time.  However, there are a few words that are used differently in Canada from the way they are used in the United Kingdom, and they can cause confusion.  Here is a list of words that have the potential to trip up a British visitor to Canada: