Author Archives: James W.J. Bowden

About James W.J. Bowden

M.A. candidate at the University of Ottawa. My research interests deal primarily with Westminster parliamentarism in the core Commonwealth, focusing on the unwritten constitution, and the evolution of parliament as an institution.

An Account of Prorogation Similar in Principle

Posted on 2013/04/15

I see that my ideas on both prorogation and the constitutional relationship between the First Minister and Governor have taken hold in a wider academic audience, as Dr. Radha Persaud has shown in his column, “Prorogation: A Matter of Restraint.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Prorogation, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Wrong Way to Limit a Premier’s Power to Prorogue: Why Catherine Fife’s Bill Is Unconstitutional

Posted on 2013/03/20

My column appears in iPolitics under the title, “The Wrong Way to Limit a Premier’s Power to Prorogue.” I am grateful to Doug Beazley for having published it in the “Insight” section. The controversial prorogation of former Liberal Premier Dalton … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Prorogation | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Leslie Frost, “Prime Minister of Ontario”

Posted on 2013/03/04

In the English language, three titles in and within Commonwealth Realms refer to the same office of head of government: “first minister,” “premier,” and “prime minister.” The heads of government of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand go … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers | Tagged , | 2 Comments

David Onley Defends Responsible Government

Posted on 2013/02/28

Introduction I’d like to thank David Watson of the Ottawa Citizen for having published my and Nick MacDonald’s column, “Onley Provides Much Needed Education.” It follows up on our earlier column from October 2012, “McGuinty Had Every Right to Prorogue,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Succession Falls Under the “Office of Queen”

Posted on 2013/02/13

This brief syllogism explains why succession to the Crown of Canada falls under the “office of Queen” of s.41(a) of the Constitution Act, 1982. 1. The Crown is as corporation sole. The Supreme Court of Canada: “The Crown is technically … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Succession (Sovereign) | Tagged | 1 Comment