Category Archives: Constitutional Conventions

My Presentation on Fixed-Elections Laws at the Canadian Political Science Association

Posted on 2013/06/05 by J.W.J. Bowden

I am enjoying my stay in Victoria this week for the Canadian Political Science Association’s Annual Conference, though visiting British Columbia reminds me of how living in Alaska felt: like you’re permanently late and behind schedule, because everything important in … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Conventions, Fixed-Date Elections, Officialization of Convention, Reform | 6 Comments

The Confidence Convention in Ontario: How the Standing Orders Kept the Wynne Government in Power

Posted on 2013/05/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

I’d like to thank James Anderson for publishing a slightly abridged version of this column on National News Watch. Introduction Proponents of democratic reform in Canada focus their efforts at the federal level and have overlooked Canada’s most populous province. … Continue reading →

Posted in Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Reform | 6 Comments

Conservative Partisans Celebrate the Wrong Date! Transitions Between Ministries in Canada

Posted on 2013/01/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

Prime Ministerial succession does not occur automatically and instantaneously under our constitution, but only after a transition of two to three weeks, after the outgoing Prime Minister has tendered his formal resignation to the Governor, and after the Governor has … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Succession (Prime Minister) | 1 Comment

Alexander Hamilton Recommended Responsible Government in 1788

Posted on 2012/11/10 by J.W.J. Bowden

Alexander Hamilton’s “executive packet” of The Federalist Papers (67-77) provides learned historical and comparative analyses of the Constitution of 1787 relative to the British system and to the systems of government in the several American states. Hamilton’s strong grasp of … Continue reading →

Posted in Confidence Convention, History of British North America, Origins, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What I Remember on the Fifth of November: The Glorious Revolution over Guy Fawkes

Posted on 2012/11/05 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Huffington Post published my column “The Truth about Guy Fawkes’ Day“, on what we should remember on the fifth of November. In this blog entry, I’ve posted some documentaries  on the Fifth of November 1605 and the Fifth of … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Conventions, History of British North America | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment