Category Archives: Formation of Governments

The Progressive Conservative Succession Crisis and the Oscillating Premiership of Prince Edward Island in 2025

Posted on 2025/12/18 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Dennis King became Premier of Prince Edward Island on 9 May 2019 as the head of the first single-party minority government in the Island’s history.[1] Little did he know then that his tenure as head of government would coincide … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments, Lieutenant Governors | Leave a comment

The Upcoming Transfer of Power Between Justin Trudeau and Mark Carney

Posted on 2025/03/10 by J.W.J. Bowden

The Ministry Depends on the Prime Minister The Governor General’s first constitutional duty is to appoint a Prime Minister and ensure the continuity of government. The Governor General usually appoints the leader of the political party which has either an … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments, Succession (Prime Minister) | Leave a comment

Journalists Refuse to Report on Incumbent Premiers Accurately

Posted on 2024/11/02 by J.W.J. Bowden

Journalists need to earn the trust of their viewers and readers. They could start by reporting on the basic foundations of Responsible Government in Canada correctly. British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick have recently held general elections in accordance with … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments | Leave a comment

“I Had No Option”: How John Turner Became Pierre Trudeau’s Patronage Patsy in 1984

Posted on 2024/09/25 by J.W.J. Bowden

Pulling the Thread That Unravels the Tapestry  Like many interesting stories, this begins with a mistake and a clerical error. My colleague David Brock and I wrote an article for the Saskatchewan Law Review called “Beyond the Writ: The Expansion … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments | Leave a comment

1896: Tupper & Laurier Debate the Role of Governor General and Popular vs Parliamentary Sovereignty

Posted on 2020/04/08 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction   On 8 July 1896, Governor General Lord Aberdeen forced Prime Minister Sir Charles Tupper from office by refusing to promulgate his constitutional advice and sign off on Orders-in-Council to summon senators and make other appointments. Tupper sought to fill … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Dorchester Review, Formation of Governments, History of British North America | 3 Comments