This article explores the language dynamics in Parliament, specifically in the House of Commons, and analyzes its impact on political relations and decision-making processes. The author asks how anglonormativity manifests itself, both on an individual and institutional level, in the House of Commons. Further, he asks how it affects the inclusion of francophone MPs and the House’s ability to legislate in French and for Canadian francophones.
Through a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with Members of the 44th Parliament, he offers a methodical analysis covering four main areas: English as the de facto common language, the ‘burden’ of French, the francophone imperative, and legislation that is bilingual but not bicultural.