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Democratizing the Constitution
Reforming Responsible Government
Canada’s time-honoured system of responsible government is failing us. This principle, by which the executive must be accountable to the people’s elected representatives, was fought for and won over 160 years ago, but we now see that achievement slipping away. Our constitution and its unwritten conventions no longer provide effective constraints on a prime minister’s power. The result: a dysfunctional system, in which the Canadian constitution has degenerated into whatever the prime minister decides it is, and a parliament that is effectively controlled by the prime minister, instead of the other way around.
This timely book examines recent history and ongoing controversies as it makes the case for restoring power to where it belongs — with the people’s elected representatives in parliament.
This book has been designed to meet the needs of courses on Canadian politics, as it gives special attention to explaining the institutions and concepts involved, as well as the fascinating history that has led to present day conflicts over our constitutional state of affairs. Its offering of proposals to address the problems it outlines will also make it a must-read for political observers and interested citizens across the country.
Contributors
Peter Aucoin
Peter Aucoin was a professor emeritus of political science and public administration at Dalhousie University and a senior academic fellow at the Canada School of Public Service with Government of Canada.
Mark Jarvis
Mark D. Jarvis is a doctoral candidate at the University of Victoria.
Lori Turnbull
Lori Turnbull is an associate professor and undergraduate advisor in the Department of Political Science at Dalhousie University.
