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 →
Category: Blog
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 →
2015 election articles and related material
Election statement and policy papers Canadians want coherent action and principled leadership. No more manipulative, secretive and unaccountable government. No more everything-but-the-kitchen-sink omnibus bills. We must restore power to Parliament Read more →
Canadians Want to Believe a Different Way Is Possible: Doing Our Part for Syrian Refugees (September 2015)
On the campaign trail this week, public concern at the door was focused on the tragic plight of millions of Syrian refugees. Few Canadians I met at the doorstep took Read more →
One Canada for All Canadians (August 2015)
One Canada is a Canada where we grow our economy and jobs, and where unemployed Canadians have access to support and training, because the best social and economic policy is 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 →
Canada Interrupted: From ‘We The Premiers’ To ‘We The People’. Time Overdue To Bring Our Constitution And Our Federation Into The 21st Century (January 2015)
(Notes for remarks to the POL 3570A students, University of Ottawa – January 26, 2015) When Professor Gaspard asked me to speak to your seminar and address issues related to Read more →
Why we must demand more of politicians – and ourselves (January 2015)
2015 is an important year for Canadians. Sometime before the end of the year we will have a general election to elect a new Parliament and Government of Canada. Yet, Read more →
Why political party nomination processes require serious reform (November 2014)
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc – President Bartlett, West Wing It is what it is, except that it isn’t – Bill Murray, St. Vincent For too long nomination contests Read more →
Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection System Needs a Comprehensive Overhaul (July 2014)
Notes for remarks to the Rotary Club of West Ottawa When I settled on today’s topic – my experience on Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board, spanning some seven-plus years from Read more →
Practical Policy Can Trump Partisan Pettiness (February 2014)
Can anyone really be surprised by the news that the Conservative Party war room is consumed with developing a detailed plan to disrupt this month’s federal Liberal policy convention in Read more →