NAV CANADA’s current rule is straightforward: English fluency is required for all regions. For positions in Quebec and Ottawa, applicants must be fluent in both English and French. NAV CANADA may require a language test administered by a third-party company over the phone.

See the official Air Traffic Control Selection and Training page and the current role posting for your region.

Region or role Current published requirement
All regions Fluent English
Quebec positions Fluent English and French
Ottawa positions Fluent English and French
Bilingual Montreal FIR assessment centre Bilingual session
Language verification May include a third-party phone test

The same basic language framework appears across NAV CANADA’s Air Traffic Services eligibility information.

Is English required everywhere?

Yes.

NAV CANADA currently states that applicants must be fluent in English for all regions.

This requirement applies because air traffic services depend on accurate listening, clear verbal communication and precise interpretation of instructions.

English fluency should therefore be treated as a baseline eligibility requirement, not merely a preference.

When is French required?

French is required for positions where NAV CANADA publishes a bilingual requirement.

The current selection information states that applicants must be fluent in both English and French to work in Quebec or Ottawa.

NAV CANADA’s broader Air Traffic Services material also describes bilingual requirements for the Montreal Flight Information Region, including the National Capital Region.

If you are applying to a bilingual role, use the exact wording in the current posting and your invitation.

Do you need to be bilingual everywhere in Canada?

No.

For regions outside the published bilingual areas, NAV CANADA’s current basic requirement is English fluency.

Do not assume that French is mandatory for every controller or flight service specialist position in Canada.

Likewise, do not assume conversational French is sufficient for a role explicitly designated bilingual. If the position requires both official languages, NAV CANADA can verify that ability during selection.

How does NAV CANADA test language ability?

NAV CANADA states that applicants may be required to undergo language testing to demonstrate that they meet the applicable requirement.

The company says this test may be:

  • administered by a third-party company;
  • conducted by telephone;
  • used to confirm the language standard for the role.

For candidates applying to bilingual positions in the Montreal Flight Information Region, NAV CANADA also states that the assessment centre session is bilingual.

Do ATC and flight service specialist candidates follow the same basic rule?

The published Air Traffic Services eligibility framework uses the same broad regional language rule:

  • English for all regions;
  • English and French for bilingual Quebec/Ottawa roles.

The exact operational demands differ between air traffic controllers and flight service specialists, so always read the role-specific posting as well.

What does “fluent” mean for preparation?

NAV CANADA does not publish a simple public percentage score that defines fluency for every candidate.

In practical terms, candidates should be ready to:

  • understand spoken instructions accurately;
  • respond clearly and concisely;
  • discuss work and academic experience;
  • process numbers, locations and changing information;
  • communicate without relying on slow translation;
  • switch between English and French when the role is bilingual.

This is especially important because NAV CANADA’s selection and operational environments are safety-critical.

How to prepare for language testing

Focus on real language ability rather than trying to reproduce a protected test.

Useful preparation includes:

  1. Practice concise answers about your education, work history and motivation.
  2. Listen to spoken English or French and summarize the key facts.
  3. Practice numbers, times, locations and directions.
  4. For bilingual roles, practice switching languages without losing accuracy.
  5. Use clear, direct sentences instead of memorized scripts.
  6. Follow the instructions in your NAV CANADA invitation.

Language requirements and the assessment centre

NAV CANADA says candidates applying for bilingual positions in the Montreal Flight Information Region complete a bilingual assessment centre session.

The assessment centre includes group and individual exercises plus an interview, so bilingual candidates should be prepared to communicate naturally under structured assessment conditions.

See NAV CANADA assessment centre for the broader format.

Bottom line

For current NAV CANADA Air Traffic Services recruitment:

  • English is required in every region.
  • English and French are required for positions in Quebec and Ottawa.
  • Language proficiency may be tested by phone through a third-party provider.
  • Bilingual Montreal FIR candidates complete a bilingual assessment centre.

The current posting and the instructions sent to your application remain the authoritative source.

Sources