ABSTRACT
The chapter discusses the role of the Canadian Senate as a representative chamber for Francophones living outside Quebec since its inception in 1867. Asserting a distinct identity from Francophone Quebeckers, they represent around 4 per cent of the Canadian population outside Quebec. Being appointed to the Canadian Senate is thus an important way to compensate their lack of effective representation in the lower chamber. More specifically, this chapter discusses the importance of constitutional conventions for the representation of Francophones outside Quebec in the Canadian Senate. First, it reviews the literature on the representation of minorities in bicameral institutions. Second, it presents a historical overview of their ongoing presence in the Canadian Senate since 1867. Third, this chapter further explores the impact of constitutional conventions on the representation of Francophones outside Quebec in the Senate in the context of the new process introduced by the Canadian government in 2015.
