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.

Discussion on Government Formation at the University of Ottawa

Posted on 2016/01/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Overall Impressions on the Discussion I thank my friend Phil Lagassé for having invited me to speak on government formation and the caretaker convention to his seminar on parliamentary government and parliamentary reform on 25 January 2015. I’ve uploaded my … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Succession (Prime Minister) | 1 Comment

Succession Planning

Posted on 2016/01/14 by J.W.J. Bowden

I hope, dear readers, that you’ll permit a departure from my normal pattern of blogging and article-writing and indulge me a bit here. My managers don’t appreciate the unintentional hilarity of assigning me to working on activities relating to succession planning.  While … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour | Leave a comment

Lament for A Dominion

Posted on 2016/01/07 by J.W.J. Bowden

I’m very grateful to C.P. Champion for having included my lament for the “Dominion of Canada” in the latest issue of The Dorchester Review. You can read it here: Bowden (2015) 1951: The Death of the Dominion You also read the primary … Continue reading →

Posted in Dominion Day, Dorchester Review, History of British North America | 5 Comments

“Canada” Began in 1791: A Critique of the Government’s “Canada at 150” Campaign

Posted on 2015/07/24 by J.W.J. Bowden

I’m very grateful to Christopher Champion and John Robson for having edited my piece and published it in the Dorchester Review as “1791: The True Birth of Canada.” Bowden (2015) 1791 the Birth of Canada Introduction Since coming into office … Continue reading →

Posted in Dorchester Review, History of British North America | 2 Comments

The Mandate Problem: Early Dissolutions and Fixed-Date Election Laws in Prince Edward Island and Alberta

Posted on 2015/04/09 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction This week, Premier Wade MacLaughlan of Prince Edward Island and Premier Jim Prentice of Alberta joined Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Premier Kathleen Wynne, and former Premier Pauline Marois as the four and fifth first ministers, respectively, in exposing the … Continue reading →

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