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.

Updates on the Reform Act and Fixed-Date Elections

Posted on 2025/05/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

Nova Scotia Shows a Better Way In February, I outlined a government bill tabled by Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia, which contained a line to repeal the province’s fixed-date elections law, amongst other things. The omnibus Government Organization and … Continue reading →

Posted in Electing & Ousting Party Leaders, Fixed-Date Elections, Party Discipline | Leave a comment

More Arthur Meighen Than Brian Mulroney? Pierre Poilievre Might Soon Confront The Reform Act

Posted on 2025/04/30 by J.W.J. Bowden

Election of 2025  On 28 April 2025, we returned yet another minority parliament in the 45th federal general election. Elections Canada’s preliminary results show that this general election brought out the highest voterturnout since 1993, at 68.7% compared to 69.6% … Continue reading →

Posted in Electing & Ousting Party Leaders, Party Discipline | 1 Comment

The Upcoming Transfer of Power Between Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney

Posted on 2025/03/10 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Ministry Depends on the Prime Minister The Governor General’s first constitutional duty is to appoint a Prime Minister and ensure the continuity of government. The Governor General usually appoints the leader of the political party which has either an … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments, Succession (Prime Minister) | Leave a comment

Doug Ford Wins Snap Election on an Extremely Unequal Electoral Map

Posted on 2025/03/01 by J.W.J. Bowden

The 15th Snap Election Notwithstanding a Fixed-Date Elections Law Ontarians last went to the polls during the pandemic on 2 June 2022 in accordance with section 9 of the Election Act: General elections at four-year intervals Powers of Lieutenant Governor … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixed-Date Elections | Leave a comment

Nova Scotia Poised to Repeal Its Fixed-Date Elections Law

Posted on 2025/02/19 by J.W.J. Bowden

  Tim Houston, Premier of Nova Scotia and leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, decided on 27 October 2024 to advise the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the legislature for a snap election 7 months early instead of allowing the general … Continue reading →

Posted in Fixed-Date Elections | Leave a comment