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.

“There’s Nothing Strategic About This”: How Dwight Ball’s “New Government” Distorted the Caretaker Convention

Posted on 2019/08/01 by J.W.J. Bowden

By James Bowden & Lyle Skinner[1]   Table of Contents Introduction: An Early Election Leads to a Hung Parliament The Caretaker Convention in Canada and Newfoundland & Labrador Summoning the New House of Assembly, Electing the Speaker, and Tabling the … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Comparative, Confirmation Voting, Constitutional Conventions, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Officialization of Convention, Succession (Prime Minister) | 1 Comment

The Timing of Scheduled Federal Elections

Posted on 2019/07/25 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Parliament first considered the fixed-date election provision in the Canada Elections Act in 2006 and enacted it in May 2007. Even today, the statute still refers to what should have become the first scheduled federal election in October 2009 … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections | 1 Comment

Errol Mendes Ventures Across the Sea To Slay A New Conservative Dragon

Posted on 2019/07/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

Now that the Liberals have formed government under Prime Minister J. Trudeau for four years, Errol Mendes, Professor of Law at the University of Ottawa, had to venture across the seas in search of new Conservative dragons to slay. And … Continue reading →

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

Saskatchewan Needs a New Lieutenant Governor Forthwith

Posted on 2019/07/16 by J.W.J. Bowden

W. Thomas Molloy, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, died in office on 2 July at the age of 78, and he was laid to rest on 13 July in Saskatoon.[1] This leaves his family and friends in mourning. And it … Continue reading →

Posted in Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Corporation Sole, Crown (Powers and Office), Lieutenant Governors | 4 Comments

Changing Canada’s Capital City: Section 16 of the Constitution Act, 1867

Posted on 2019/07/14 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Over the last five weeks or so, two of my closest constitutional compatriots have independently of one another brought up the same issue with me on the subject of section 16 of the Constitution Act, 1867, so I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution (Written), Crown (Powers and Office), History of British North America | 8 Comments