Category Archives: Dissolution

Neither the Queen Nor the Governor General Can Dissolve Parliament Unilaterally!

Posted on 2012/04/12 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Radicalism of the “Stop Harper” Lobby and of the High-Tory Monarchists Last year, Bridget DePape abused her position as a Senate Page and mounted a silent protest with her “Stop Harper” sign in the Senate chamber while the Governor … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Governor's Discretion, Prime Minister's Powers, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government, Whigs v Tories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Constitutional Crisis in Papua New Guinea: Codification Causes Confusion

Posted on 2011/12/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction I have published this account somewhat belatedly; however, regardless of the current state of the constitutional crisis in Papua New Guinea, it brings some fundamental underlying principles of Westminster parliamentarism to light and provides an excellent case study in … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Codification of Convention, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Officialization of Convention, Prime Minister's Powers, Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Restoration of the Personal Union of the Crowns of Scotland and England

Posted on 2011/11/14 by J.W.J. Bowden

Alex Salmond, the current First Minister of Scotland, and his Scottish National Party won a parliamentary majority earlier this year – a significant first for the new Scottish Parliament and its mixed member proportional electoral system. The Scottish National Party … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Constructive Non-Confidence, Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, The Personal Union | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part III: Analyses and Conclusions

Posted on 2011/08/22 by J.W.J. Bowden

Characteristics and Purposes of the Fixed-Election Laws Section 56.1 of the Canada Elections Act established fixed elections for the Parliament of Canada every four years on the third Monday in October, but necessarily preserves the constitutional powers of the governor … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 20 Comments

Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part II

Posted on 2011/08/21 by J.W.J. Bowden

The list in Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part I shows a clear trend toward the establishment of fixed-elections laws in Canada. British Columbia led the charge in 2001 and set the basic formula that all other provincial legislatures, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 4 Comments