Category Archives: Reform

Toronto Newspaper Attacks the Undemocratic Centralization of Power in the Prime Minister


In “The Power of the Prime Minister”, the editorial board of the Toronto News rails against the undemocratic centralization of power in the Prime Minister, the ineffectiveness of the appointed Senate,  and called for more “checks and balances” in our … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Books, Documentaries, Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Reform, Reviews and Critiques, Senate Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Parti Quebecois’ Contempt for the Constitution: Limiting the Premier to Two Consecutive “Mandates” in Office


Introduction Quebec Premier Jean Charest advised the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the 39th National Assembly on 1 August 2012 so that Quebeckers cast their ballots on 4 September 2012.[1] Charest’s Liberals face Pauline Marois’ Parti Québécois (PQ) and Francois Legault’s … Continue reading

Posted in Appointment of PM, Coalition Government, Confidence Convention, Constitution (Conventional), Crown (Powers and Office), Fixed Elections, Formation of Governments, Governor's Discretion, Parliamentary Privilege, Reaffirmation of, Reform, Responsible Government, Succession (Prime Minister) | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Debate on Prime Ministerial Power: Andrew Coyne vs. Sheila Copps


Introduction On 10 May 2012, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute held a debate on “Power Corrupts Canadian Prime Minister”, the fourth instalment of its History Wars series. Theoretically, Andrew Coyne argued in favour of the resolution and therefore against prime ministerial power, … Continue reading

Posted in Conferences and Speeches, Confidence Convention, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Constitutional Issues in the Albertan Leaders’ Debate


This leadership debate dredged up several interesting constitutional issues and revealed a great deal of ignorance toward the principles of Responsible Government, the use of direct democracy (in this case, initiative-referendums and government-led referendums)in Canadian history, and the role of … Continue reading

Posted in Constructive Non-Confidence, Direct Democracy, Fixed Elections, Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Constitutional Crisis in Papua New Guinea: Codification Causes Confusion


Introduction I have published this account somewhat belatedly; however, regardless of the current state of the constitutional crisis in Papua New Guinea, it brings some fundamental underlying principles of Westminster parliamentarism to light and provides an excellent case study in … Continue reading

Posted in Appointment of PM, Codification of Convention, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed Elections, Officialization of Convention, Prime Minister's Powers, Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments