The workplace of legislators and their staff is unlike any other. Unpredictable schedules, multiple worksites, intense public scrutiny, and the pressures of political life create a distinctive professional environment with unique challenges and demands.

Parliament as a Workplace examines the realities of working within Canada’s legislative institutions. Bringing together diverse perspectives, it explores the often-challenging reality of parliamentary work. In particular, it explores the partisan, bilingual, gendered, racialized, and hierarchical ecosystem of Parliament as a workplace, as well as the formal and informal norms that shape this environment. It also analyzes the distinct legal framework governing the work of parliamentary staff.

At a time when workplace culture, inclusion, and employee well-being are receiving increased attention, this book offers a timely examination of the larger frame behind parliamentary work. By treating Parliament as both a political institution and a workplace, this volume provides new insights into the people, structures, and practices that sustain democratic governance in Canada.