Author Archives: J.W.J. Bowden

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About J.W.J. Bowden

My area of academic expertise lies in Canadian political institutions, especially the Crown, political executive, and conventions of Responsible Government; since 2011, I have made a valuable contribution to the scholarship by having been published and cited extensively. I’m also a contributing editor to the Dorchester Review and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law.

Following Up on the Office of Governor General: Documents Not Gazetted

Posted on 2021/03/11 by J.W.J. Bowden

Even without catchy buzzphrases like “deliverology” and “Open Government,” the Government of Canada published more official documents in the mid-20th century than it does today simply out of a sense of common decency and an understanding that liberal-democratic countries must … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Governor General | 1 Comment

The Doctrine of Necessity in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Omnishambles Election

Posted on 2021/02/19 by J.W.J. Bowden

Conflating the Caretaker Convention with The Doctrine of Necessity I remain transfixed by the spectacle unfolding in Newfoundland and Labrador and will have to report back once Elections Newfoundland and Labrador counts the ballots cast in this illegitimate election. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Doctrine of Necessity, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | 5 Comments

Newfoundland & Labrador’s Omnishambles Election of 2021 Continues

Posted on 2021/02/13 by J.W.J. Bowden

How This Happened Today, on 13 February 2021, Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans across the province should have made their way to their polls and cast their ballots in a general election for their province’s 50th General Assembly. But events intervened. Newfoundland … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | 2 Comments

Electoral Disaster Strikes the Rock: Newfoundland & Labrador’s Crazy COVID Election

Posted on 2021/02/12 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction  A year ago, Dwight Ball announced his intention to resign as Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador as soon as the Liberal Party had selected his successor as party leader.[1] The Liberal Party’s convention did not end up doing so … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | 3 Comments

The Nova Scotian Strain: Tactical Prorogation in Canada’s Ocean Playground

Posted on 2021/02/02 by J.W.J. Bowden

Prorogation by Speech from the Throne Qualifies as a “Sitting” On 18 December 2020, prorogation once again provoked some controversy in Canada – but this time for a different reason which might surprise you.

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