Category Archives: Responsible Government

The Prime Minister Does Not “Represent All Canadians” – the House of Commons Does

Posted on 2012/03/11 by J.W.J. Bowden

Responsible Government and the Loyal Opposition Many of the subtle misinterpretations of the nature of responsible government derive from what some (and perhaps some of you, dear readers!) would consider “quibbling”, constitutional pedantry, or “debates over semantics.” I would argue, … Continue reading →

Posted in Loyal Opposition, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

The Civil Service, Not the “Public” Service

Posted on 2012/03/06 by J.W.J. Bowden

As part of my series on the true nature of responsible government and Crown prerogative, I will now turn my attention to another part of the government that derives its authority from the Crown: Her Majesty’s Civil Service. The civil … Continue reading →

Posted in Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged | 3 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