Category Archives: Constitutional Conventions

A Caretaker Convention in the United States?

Posted on 2016/02/16 by J.W.J. Bowden

This is of interest to me from a comparative perspective. I’m by no means an expert on the current practices in the American system of government. My analytics tell me that Parliamentum does have an appreciable American readership, so I hope that … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Constitutional Conventions, Parliamentarism v Presidentialism | 3 Comments

Thoughts on How We Translate the Caretaker Convention

Posted on 2016/01/30 by J.W.J. Bowden

This follows up on and adds to my earlier entry describing my talk on government formation to Professor Philippe Lagassé’s seminar on parliamentarism, which you can read here. When Phil and I were discussing the Privy Council Office’s Guidelines on … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Constitutional Conventions | 1 Comment

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

Premier Wynne Adopts Prime Minister Harper’s Tactics on Early Dissolution: Will the Media and Scholars Now Vilify Her Accordingly?

Posted on 2013/09/10 by J.W.J. Bowden

Harper Showed the Futility and Uselessness of Canadian-Style Fixed-Election Laws in 2008 As the CBC reported in late August 2008, Prime Minister Harper described the 39th Parliament as “dysfunctional”; in other words, he had judged that his minority government would … Continue reading →

Posted in Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Fixed-Date Elections, Reform | 3 Comments

Who Made This Statement About Government Formation in Minority Parliaments?

Posted on 2013/06/10 by J.W.J. Bowden

“Whichever party gets the most votes and the most seats, if not an absolute majority, has the first right to seek to govern, either on its own or by reaching out to other parties.” I hope that the Canadian media … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments | 3 Comments