Category Archives: Prime Minister’s Powers

The Harper Government’s Senate Reform Bill (C-7) and Its Implications on Crown Prerogative and Responsible Government

Posted on 2011/10/27 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Since the 39th Parliament, the Harper government has tried and failed to pass bills that would limit the tenure of Senators to somewhere between 8 and 12 years and provide a legislative framework for provincial senatorial elections along the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Responsible Government, Senate Reform | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Prorogation As Prime Ministerial Delay Tactic: A Legitimate Parliamentary Tool, Not “Abuse” of Prerogative

Posted on 2011/08/29 by J.W.J. Bowden

UPDATE, July 2019: Please see this post on “Sir John Major’s Hypocrisy on Prorogation” for an in-depth explanation of how Major obtained a prorogation in 1997 in order to prevent Sir Gordon Downey from tabling his report into the Cash-for-Questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation | 14 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

Fixed Elections in the Provinces, Part I

Posted on 2011/08/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

Over the next few days, I will present and analyse the fixed-election laws in the provinces as a follow up to my post on section 56.1 of the Canada Elections Act and the early dissolution of 2008. The following provinces … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Dissolution, Fixed-Date Elections, Prime Minister's Powers | 7 Comments