Author Archives: J.W.J. Bowden

Unknown's avatar

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.

What Is It About Dissolution That Everyone Finds So Confusing?

Posted on 2017/03/17 by J.W.J. Bowden

I’m posing this question seriously, because I genuinely don’t know the answer to it. It truly baffles me. But what I do know is that Canadian journalists and scholars don’t seem to understand the implications of our various federal and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections | 5 Comments

Collective Parliamentary Privilege Includes The Expulsion of Members of Parliament

Posted on 2017/03/14 by J.W.J. Bowden

 Introduction As winter’s last gasp of cold air descends on Ottawa, so, too, has speculation over the expulsion of Senator Don Meredith from the upper chamber over his misuse of Senate resources in carrying out an extra-marital affair, which brought … Continue reading →

Posted in Expulsion of Members, Parliamentary Privilege | 15 Comments

Some Thoughts on National Parks in Canada and the United States

Posted on 2017/03/13 by J.W.J. Bowden

I just overdosed on pseudo-profound American exceptionalism and Tocqueville-inspired democracy babble in this preview for Ken Burns’s PBS documentary on America’s national parks. I thoroughly enjoyed Burns’s documentaries on the US Civil War, Prohibition, and the Roosevelts, but based on … Continue reading →

Posted in Documentaries, History of British North America, Random Thoughts | Leave a comment

Who Updates Section 37 of the Constitution Act, 1867?

Posted on 2017/02/09 by J.W.J. Bowden

Whenever I re-read the Constitution Act, 1867 — the statute formerly known as the British North America Act, 1867 –, I always see something interesting which I hadn’t noticed before. I’m currently drafting a response to Professor Pilon’s strawman summary … Continue reading →

Posted in Amending Formulas, Constitution (Written), Indirect Amendment | 3 Comments

Some Thoughts on Typewriters

Posted on 2017/01/26 by J.W.J. Bowden

I’m doing my part to make typewriters great again.

Posted in Random Thoughts | 3 Comments