Monthly Archives: January 2022

Consociationalism and Bifurcated Cabinets in Northern Ireland


The dysfunction, conflict, and ideological incoherence at the heart of the Northern Irish Executive offers a modern analogy to what the dual ministries and co-premiership of the Province of Canada might have looked like.

Posted in Comparative, Confirmation Voting | 3 Comments

Orrrrrrrddaaaaa! Speaking in the Second Person


Rhoticity Makes Melody Speakers of the House of Commons of Canada sound so flat when they say, “Order” in our rhotic (pronouncing the ‘r’) North American accents. Australian and British Speakers of the House sound far more comical and entertaining … Continue reading

Posted in Decorum, Parliament | Leave a comment

Remember, Remember the Fifth of November: Nova Scotia Enacts Canada’s Last Fixed-Date Election Law


Nova Scotia’s Failed Fixed-Date Election Bills, 2007-2014 No province has agonized over fixed-date elections like Nova Scotia. Its House of Assembly has debated several private members’ bills to establish fixed-date elections and almost joined in the first wave of legislation … Continue reading

Posted in Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections | 1 Comment

Yukon’s Fixed-Date Elections Law


Introduction Between 2001 and 2021, all the federal parliament and the legislatures in all provinces and territories enacted fixed-date election laws. British Columbia started the trend in 2001. Yukon held out to December 2020, and Nova Scotia fell on 5 … Continue reading

Posted in Fixed-Date Elections | Leave a comment