Canada has a constitutionally recognized federal government and constitutionally recognized provincial governments. Canada is a “constitutional monarchy,” which is a form of government where monarchs act as the political heads of state but their powers are kept within the boundaries of that … [Read more...]
The Ins and Outs of the Senate
If the recent news headlines about the Senate has you wondering how the Senate came to be, what its role is and what Senators do, then check out the ‘Senate series’ on CPLEA‘s blog, Blogosaurus Lex. Senate Series Part 1: An Introduction to the Senate Senate Series Part 2: A Bit of … [Read more...]
Parliamentary Democracy 101
In the Gettysburg address, Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” He was, of course, referring to the democratic model of the United States. However, the same words can be used to define Canadian parliamentary democracy: government of the … [Read more...]
Prorogation: A Powerful Tool Forged by History
In early December 2008, the situation for Stephen Harper’s second government appeared dire. Although he had won the election of October 14, Canadians gave his Conservatives only a minority government. Now, in the few short days since he had convened Parliament, he had so angered the opposition … [Read more...]
The Canadian Crown: The Role of the Governor General
In late 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper paid two notable visits to the Governor General of Canada at Rideau Hall and offered Her Excellency, Michaëlle Jean, advice which sparked controversy among intellectuals, pundits and editorialists. Canadians from across the country soon joined the … [Read more...]