Category Archives: Responsible Government

The Evolution of the Principle of Restraint (Caretaker Convention) in Canada

Posted on 2012/01/31 by J.W.J. Bowden

Once again, the Manual of Official Procedure of the Government of Canada has proven indispensible as an historical resource! The Appendices contains the “Order in Council cancelling Appointments made on Macdonald’s Resignation (1873)”. I have uploaded this excerpt as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Caretaker Convention & Government Formation, Crown (Powers and Office), Governor's Discretion, Officialization of Convention, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

A True Parliamentarist: The Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Dr Lockwood Smith

Posted on 2011/10/24 by J.W.J. Bowden

In “The Role of the Speaker”, The Speaker of the House of Representatives Lockwood Smith talked about the history of parliament as an institution and the core function, or main authority, of the House of Representatives: to hold the Crown … Continue reading →

Posted in Parliament, Parliamentary Privilege, Reaffirmation of, Traditions and History | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The History of Senate Reform, 1867 to 1913

Posted on 2011/10/13 by J.W.J. Bowden

I reviewed the political philosophical debate on the merits of the elective versus appointive upper house, and the elective Legislative Council in the earlier post. We’re all generally familiar with the modern proposals for Senate Reform (post-1980), essentially the “Triple-E … Continue reading →

Posted in Responsible Government, Senate Reform | 4 Comments

From Leader to Laggard in Elective Upper Houses: Canada’s Elective Legislative Council, 1856-1867

Posted on 2011/10/11 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Most Canadians are probably unaware that for a brief period in our history, the upper house in the United Province of Canada (called a Legislative Council) was making the transition from an appointive chamber to an elective one, between … Continue reading →

Posted in Responsible Government, Senate Reform, Separation of Powers | 4 Comments