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.

The Old House of Commons Chamber (1866-1916)

Posted on 2016/12/25 by J.W.J. Bowden

  While I was browsing at the Astrolabe on Sparks Street two days ago (which, sadly, is closing down soon), I happened upon this neat photograph of the old Canadian House of Commons, taken in 1898, 18 years before the … Continue reading →

Posted in History of British North America, Parliament, Traditions and History | 4 Comments

Ontario’s Next General Election Has Only Just Been Scheduled for June 2018

Posted on 2016/12/22 by J.W.J. Bowden

On this subject, I raised the ire of various journalists who accused me of that cardinal sin of pedantry. If I’m pedantic, then they’re obtuse. To declare that a law has been amended even before the government has tabled the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections | 4 Comments

Kathleen Wynne’s Fairy Tale of the Invincible Premier

Posted on 2016/12/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

In a recent interview with the Toronto Star, Premier Wynne responded to the lingering suspicions that she will soon resign as leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario and as Premier of Ontario with a novel theory on the authority … Continue reading →

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

Stop Appealing to the Governor General To Overthrow Responsible Government

Posted on 2016/11/29 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Members of Parliament on the Opposition benches need to stop asking the Governor General of Canada and the Queen of Canada to overthrow Responsible Government. This should go without saying, but, alas, it does not. Responsible Government has so … Continue reading →

Posted in Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | 1 Comment

Justin Trudeau Has A “Basic Dictatorship” Problem

Posted on 2016/11/28 by J.W.J. Bowden

  The Root Cause of Trudeau’s Basic Dictatorship Problem Justin Trudeau has a “Basic Dictatorship” Problem. Ultimately, it stems from his political Romanticism and his attempt to deny that politics is, by definition, divisive precisely because we are free to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dorchester Review, Loyal Opposition | 5 Comments