Author: Deborah Coyne
Political Engagement and Social Media (February 2019)
Notes for comments at Popular Defiance Plenary – World Affairs Conference, Upper Canada College, February 5, 2019 I am very happy to speak today on the topic of political engagement and social Read more →
#CheersSocialToronto
Hello parents! Re #CheersSocialToronto – a regular integrated meet-up group for young adults (ages 20-32) who meet criteria for an intellectual disability – functioning in the higher end. I am the Read more →
Repeal the Notwithstanding Clause
Ontario premier Doug Ford’s controversial use of the notwithstanding clause (section 33 of the Constitution Act 1982 – “NWC”) to override the judicial application of the rule of law, has Read more →
The 25th Anniversary of the Charlottetown Referendum
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Charlottetown referendum on October 26, 1992. This was a consultative national referendum to determine public opinion on a set of far-reaching constitutional Read more →
The Constitution is a “Living Tree”: Time for New Growth (June 2017)
The Quebec premier’s constitutional discussion paper – “Quebecers: Our Way of Being Canadian. Policy on Québec Affirmation and Canadian Relations” – was a surprising addition to the busy news cycle Read more →
The Challenge to Canadian Democracy – Overview (February 15, 2017)
Overview In 2017 we will slowly adapt to the new normal of an outrageously uninformed American president who uses Twitter as a channel not just for random thoughts, but also Read more →
1. Closing the Gap between Rhetoric and Action (February 15, 2017)
This is part of my article entitled “The Challenge to Canadian Democracy”. Here are four federal-specific policy areas where important initiatives must not be allowed to languish beyond the next Read more →
2. Harmonizing Legislation and Action across Jurisdictions – (February 15, 2017)
This is part of my article entitled “The Challenge to Canadian Democracy”. Here are five crucial policy areas in desperate need of vigorous federal government leadership to ensure carefully harmonized Read more →
3. Serious Reform to Representative Institutions and Practices – (February 15, 2017)
This is part of my article entitled “The Challenge to Canadian Democracy”. Our representative institutions and practices need serious reform to reduce executive power and return it to Parliament. We Read more →
4. Expanding Direct Citizen Participation – (February 15, 2017)
This is part of my article entitled “The Challenge to Canadian Democracy”. Sound practices and institutions are vital, but in order to make our government responsive and responsible Canadians must Read more →
5. Modernizing Arrangements for Intergovernmental Collaboration (February 15, 2017)
This is part of my article entitled “The Challenge to Canadian Democracy“. The traditional approach of relying only on ad hoc first ministers’ meetings to achieve an intergovernmental consensus no Read more →
Reform or Abolish the Senate? The Choice Should Be Ours (June 2015)
The latest depressing revelations about the Senate make it clear that the institution cannot continue in its present form. The vast majority of Canadians now agree that reform or abolition Read more →