Language in the public service

Abstract

In the Canadian public sector, legislation regulates the language of work and service to the public, generating a demand for bilingualism. We examine whether the bilingualism premium is higher in the public than in the private sector. We analyze how earnings from three census years, one before the legislation was strengthened, have evolved, we net out the effects of observables on earnings and we partially address the selection issue. © 2006 Regents of the University of California.