Category Archives: Reaffirmation of

A New Year’s Resolution for Political Scientists: Stop Saying That Parliamentarism “Fuses” The Executive and Legislature

Posted on 2017/12/31 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction: A Lazy and Stupid Metaphor  Political scientists like taking shortcuts and writing in shorthand. But sometimes, these cause them to get hopelessly lost rather than shortening their journey toward fact and truth. For instance, too many political scientists of … Continue reading →

Posted in Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government, Separation of Powers | 4 Comments

Stop Appealing to the Governor General To Overthrow Responsible Government

Posted on 2016/11/29 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction Members of Parliament on the Opposition benches need to stop asking the Governor General of Canada and the Queen of Canada to overthrow Responsible Government. This should go without saying, but, alas, it does not. Responsible Government has so … Continue reading →

Posted in Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | 1 Comment

Harper’s Fourth Prorogation Looks Much Like His First

Posted on 2013/09/26 by J.W.J. Bowden

I thank James Anderson for having published this column on National New Watch’s Featured Ink earlier today. Introduction Prime Minister Harper advised that the 1st session of this 41st Parliament be prorogued on 16 September 2013, and that the 2nd … Continue reading →

Posted in Crown (Powers and Office), Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | 1 Comment

David Onley Defends Responsible Government

Posted on 2013/02/28 by J.W.J. Bowden

Introduction I’d like to thank David Watson of the Ottawa Citizen for having published my and Nick MacDonald’s column, “Onley Provides Much Needed Education.” It follows up on our earlier column from October 2012, “McGuinty Had Every Right to Prorogue,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Appointment of PM, Consultations, Crown (Powers and Office), Formation of Governments, Governor's Discretion, Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

“In Vogue to Prorogue?” CBC’s At-Issue Panel on Prorogation

Posted on 2012/10/20 by J.W.J. Bowden

On 18 October 2012, Peter Mansbridge, Andrew Coyne, Chantal Hebert, and Bruce Anderson discussed McGuinty’s prorogation on CBC’s At-Issue Panel, from about 7 minutes to 10 minutes in the video. The panellists also discussed the Harper government’s second omnibus budget … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Conventions, Crown (Powers and Office), Prime Minister's Powers, Prorogation, Reaffirmation of, Responsible Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments