Category Archives: Crown (Powers and Office)

The Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Debate on Prime Ministerial Power: Andrew Coyne vs. Sheila Copps

Posted on 2012/05/17 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction On 10 May 2012, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute held a debate on “Power Corrupts Canadian Prime Minister”, the fourth instalment of its History Wars series. Theoretically, Andrew Coyne argued in favour of the resolution and therefore against prime ministerial power, … Continue reading →

Posted in Conferences and Speeches, Confidence Convention, Constructive Non-Confidence, Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Reform | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

The Demise of Responsible Government and the Crown Prerogative on Defence

Posted on 2012/02/26 by J.W.J. Bowden

Perilous Precedents: Parliamentary Approval of Troop Deployments Many scholars have lamented the Harper government’s alleged “abuse” of Crown prerogatives on prorogation and dissolution, and its overall attitude toward Parliament (i.e., the House of Commons). I of course disagree with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Books, Cabinet's Powers, Crown (Powers and Office), Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

The True Nature of Crown Prerogative and Responsible Government

Posted on 2012/02/23 by J.W.J. Bowden

When PhDs Don’t Understand Westminster Parliamentarism The debates in Westminster parliamentarism on the role of Crown-in-Parliament vs. the Crown-in-Council mostly result from legitimate differences of interpretation of Crown prerogative, such as between Dawson’s and Forsey’s respective schools of thought. Unfortunately, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabinet's Powers, Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Dawson and Forsey Clash on the Prorogation of 2008 and Over Responsible Government

Posted on 2012/02/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

Dawson v. Forsey on the Reserve Powers of the Crown I had a very intellectually stimulating discussion on Twitter last night with Dr. Johannes Wheeldon regarding the Prorogation-Coalition Crisis of 2008, the nature of Crown prerogative, the different implications of … Continue reading →

Posted in Coalition Government, Confidence Convention, Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Officialization of Convention, Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments