Category Archives: Parliamentary Privilege

Collective Parliamentary Privilege Includes The Expulsion of Members of Parliament

Posted on 2017/03/14 by J.W.J. Bowden

 Introduction As winter’s last gasp of cold air descends on Ottawa, so, too, has speculation over the expulsion of Senator Don Meredith from the upper chamber over his misuse of Senate resources in carrying out an extra-marital affair, which brought … Continue reading →

Posted in Parliamentary Privilege | 15 Comments

Collective Ministerial Responsibility and Censure in Australia

Posted on 2017/01/09 by J.W.J. Bowden

One of my Australian readers commented on the previous post and linked to House of Representatives Practice, the Australian equivalent of O’Brien and Bosc’s tome, and its commentary on the censure of an individual minister. Prime Minister and other Ministers From time … Continue reading →

Posted in Individual vs Collective Ministerial Responsibility, Parliamentary Privilege, Responsible Government | 3 Comments

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, 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 Parti Quebecois’ Contempt for the Constitution: Limiting the Premier to Two Consecutive “Mandates” in Office

Posted on 2012/08/22 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Quebec Premier Jean Charest advised the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the 39th National Assembly on 1 August 2012 so that Quebeckers cast their ballots on 4 September 2012.[1] Charest’s Liberals face Pauline Marois’ Parti Québécois (PQ) and Francois Legault’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Coalition Government, Confidence Convention, Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Fixed-Date Elections, Formation of Governments, Governor's Discretion, Parliamentary Privilege, Reaffirmation of, Reform, Responsible Government, Succession (Prime Minister) | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Parliamentarians and National Security

Posted on 2011/12/11 by J.W.J. Bowden

My friend and co-author Nick MacDonald wrote “Parliamentarians and National Security”, for the Canadian Parliamentary Review. The Parliament of Canada has traditionally deferred to the government on matters relating to national security although parliamentarians have, on occasion, vied for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles and Books, Parliamentary Privilege, Reviews | Tagged | Leave a comment