I think it has to be, because if one judge is not bilingual, then there will be a clear indication or signal sent to the lawyers that in order to be well understood by the judge, they have to speak English. Among the judges themselves, there will be one language used, and that will be English. I think it's a question of justice with regard to the citizens and with regard to all of those people who send their cases to the Supreme Court of Canada, whose cases are heard by the Supreme Court of Canada. It's also a question of justice among the justices of the Supreme Court themselves. Again, if there is one judge who does not speak French, then English is going to be the common language.
On May 11th, 2017. See this statement in context.