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.

The Ceremonial and Protocol Handbook by the Department of Canadian Heritage

Posted on 2012/08/29 by J.W.J. Bowden

A Review of the Contents The Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) created the Ceremonial and Protocol Handbook in the 1990s as a semi-official reference for use within the Government of Canada. I obtained the document through an ATIP to PCH; … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Conventions, Officialization of Convention | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Parti Quebecois’ Contempt for the Constitution: Limiting the Premier to Two Consecutive “Mandates” in Office

Posted on 2012/08/22 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Quebec Premier Jean Charest advised the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the 39th National Assembly on 1 August 2012 so that Quebeckers cast their ballots on 4 September 2012.[1] Charest’s Liberals face Pauline Marois’ Parti Québécois (PQ) and Francois Legault’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Coalition Government, Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Fixed-Date Elections, Formation of Governments, Governor's Discretion, Parliamentary Privilege, Reaffirmation of, Reform, Responsible Government, Succession (Prime Minister) | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Prorogation Should Remain a Prime Ministerial Power

Posted on 2012/07/02 by J.W.J. Bowden

Commanding Confidence is a Binary Proposition: Either the Government Has It, Or It Does Not R. Michael Warren (a former deputy minister in the civil service of Ontario and therefore former practitioner) argued that Primer McGuinty should have advised the … Continue reading →

Posted in Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Your Canada, Your Constitution Denies the Statute of Westminster and Patriation

Posted on 2012/06/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Your Canada, Your Constitution (YCYC) has published the second of what may become a series of installments derived from the unscientific, inaccurate push poll that Harris-Decima conducted on its behalf between May 10th and May 20th. The constitutional sophists … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Books, Constitution (Written), Crown (Powers and Office), Monarchism v Republicanism, Reviews, The Personal Union | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Peter Russell on the Prorogation-Coalition Controversy of 2008

Posted on 2012/06/25 by J.W.J. Bowden

Russell’s Errors of Interpretation on Prorogation Ontario News Watch uploaded an interview with Peter Russell on 25 June 2012, in which he displayed his unalloyed Forseyite interpretation of the reserve powers. Russell made several demonstrably incorrect assertions throughout the interview, … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Coalition Government, Conferences and Speeches, Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments, Governor's Discretion, Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments