Category Archives: Parliament

On Collective Ministerial Responsibility and Impeachment

Posted on 2017/01/04 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction: Ian Brodie’s Article in The Dorchester Review Ian Brodie, one of Stephen Harper’s former chiefs of staff who served him both as Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and as Prime Minister, contributed an interesting article to the most recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Books, Censure or Impeachment of Ministers, Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Dorchester Review, History of British North America, Individual vs Collective Ministerial Responsibility, Parliament, Parliamentary Privilege, Responsible Government, Reviews, Separation of Powers | 6 Comments

The Old House of Commons Chamber (1866-1916)

Posted on 2016/12/25 by J.W.J. Bowden

  While I was browsing at the Astrolabe on Sparks Street two days ago (which, sadly, is closing down soon), I happened upon this neat photograph of the old Canadian House of Commons, taken in 1898, 18 years before the … Continue reading →

Posted in History of British North America, Parliament, Traditions and History | 4 Comments

Justin Trudeau Has A “Basic Dictatorship” Problem

Posted on 2016/11/28 by J.W.J. Bowden

  The Root Cause of Trudeau’s Basic Dictatorship Problem Justin Trudeau has a “Basic Dictatorship” Problem. Ultimately, it stems from his political Romanticism and his attempt to deny that politics is, by definition, divisive precisely because we are free to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dorchester Review, Loyal Opposition | 5 Comments

Catching a Glimpse of a Long Forgotten Country: The Great Fire of 1916

Posted on 2016/02/03 by J.W.J. Bowden

On 3 February 1916, one hundred years ago today, a raging inferno consumed the original Center Block and left it a smoldering ruin and a gutted husk of its former glory. Seven perished in the deadly blaze. Only the Library of … Continue reading →

Posted in Parliament, Traditions and History | Leave a comment

The People’s Republic of Alberta: Alberta’s Very Unparliamentary Style of Politics

Posted on 2015/04/06 by J.W.J. Bowden

The American Custom of Press Conferences and Opposition Responses Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once explained to an American audience on C-SPAN what differentiated a Westminster parliamentary system from the American presidential system. At 21 minutes into the interview, … Continue reading →

Posted in Loyal Opposition, Parliamentarism v Presidentialism | 2 Comments