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.

Guidelines on the Caretaker Convention

Posted on 2011/08/04 by J.W.J. Bowden

Former Clerk of the Privy Council Mel Cappe wrote an introductory piece The Caretaker Convention in Canada arguing that the Privy Council Office should release its official guidelines on the caretaker convention that place limitations on the government’s authority during … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Officialization of Convention | 14 Comments

Parliamentary Privilege and National Security

Posted on 2011/08/02 by J.W.J. Bowden

My partner in parliamentarism Nick MacDonald has taught me much on parliamentary privilege, and I’m sure that in time, he will become one of the foremost experts on the subject in Canada and the Commonwealth! In his forthcoming article “Parliamentarians … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Books, Reviews | 1 Comment

The Westminster Origins of the United States Congress

Posted on 2011/08/01 by J.W.J. Bowden

Despite my earlier criticism of the American form of government, I believe that its institutional origins rest fundamentally in a British mould – but from an earlier time that predates the entrenchment of responsible government. The American Congressional-Presidential system of … Continue reading →

Posted in History of British North America, Whigs v Tories | 9 Comments

Defining Canada’s Constitution: Canada Did Have One Before Trudeau and 1982!

Posted on 2011/07/31 by J.W.J. Bowden

Part of my research includes studying the unwritten constitution. When Americans refer to their constitution, they mean one complete and concise document; while Americans can frame a copy of their constitution and hand it on a wall, Canadians cannot, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitution (Written) | 6 Comments

The King’s Speech

Posted on 2011/07/30 by J.W.J. Bowden

I thought that this documentary “George VI: The Reluctant King” would prove of interest.

Posted in Articles and Books, Reviews | 1 Comment