Author: revparlc

Changing Times at the Canadian Parliamentary Review

This entry is part 7 of 10 in the series Vol 37 No 1 (Spring)

Changing Times at the Canadian Parliamentary Review

The new editor of the Canadian Parliamentary Review introduces himself to readers in this article. He explains his approach to his new role and to the publication as being one which fosters discussion and debate about new ideas about parliamentary democracy while recognizing its distinguished past. Particular emphasis will be given to people and projects which seek to continue to make these institutions responsive and relevant to Canadians. A concluding section outlines some of the editorial board’s proposals for the Review during this time of transition and renewal.

As I begin my tenure as editor of the Canadian Parliamentary Review, I pause to consider and question my professional purpose and the kind of contribution I can make to this long-standing and well-regarded institution as it enters a period of immense change. I imagine many parliamentarians may have had similar thoughts as they first entered their respective legislatures.

Continue reading “Changing Times at the Canadian Parliamentary Review”

Parliamentary Bookshelf Vol 37 No 1

This entry is part 8 of 10 in the series Vol 37 No 1 (Spring)

Parliamentary Bookshelf

Imperfect Democracies: The Democratic Deficit in Canada and the United States by Patti Tamara Lenard and Richard Simeon, UBC Press, Vancouver, 2013, 360pp.

Reforming the Senate, ensuring backbench MPs have a voice, alternative voting systems to first-past-the-post, and election finance reform are all issues that Canadians have debated since our inception as a nation. Likewise, the power of the executive branch, a do-nothing congress, political finance & Super PACs, and reforming the legal system have preoccupied policy-makers in the US. In each case, these reforms are debated on the basis that they will, or will not, help to create a more democratic society.

Continue reading “Parliamentary Bookshelf Vol 37 No 1”

CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene Vol 37 No 1

This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series Vol 37 No 1 (Spring)

CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene

31st Canadian Presiding Officers’ Conference

From January 30 to February 2, over 60 delegates and guests from every province and territory, gathered in Ottawa for the 31stCanadian Presiding Officer’s Conference.

Continue reading “CPA Activities: The Canadian Scene Vol 37 No 1”

Adapting New Communication Technologies at the Quebec National Assembly

This entry is part 1 of 13 in the series Vol 36 No 4 (Winter)

Vol 36 No 4Adapting New Communication Technologies at the Quebec National Assembly

This article starts by looking at how the National Assembly has harnessed communications technologies to engage the public and get them involved in democratic life. It then focusses on the various technological tools available to members and the President to support them in their work. The article concludes with a few thoughts about how communications technologies have a tangible impact on parliamentary business.

Continue reading “Adapting New Communication Technologies at the Quebec National Assembly”

Children as Witnesses at Senate Committees: The Cyberbullying Hearings

This entry is part 2 of 13 in the series Vol 36 No 4 (Winter)

Children as Witnesses at Senate Committees: The Cyberbullying Hearings

In December 2012, the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights tabled its report Cyberbullying Hurts: Respect for Rights in the Digital Age. It followed a series of hearings in 2011 and 2012 where it closely examined the roles that stakeholders can play in addressing cyberbullying and the emerging best practices. The committee began this study by using the standard modus operandi for most parliamentary reviews – holding public meetings with experts, government officials, and representatives from stakeholder organizations. However, it was missing an important piece of the puzzle; the committee needed to hear from the children themselves. This article looks at how the committee went about the unusual task of hearing minor children as witnesses.

Continue reading “Children as Witnesses at Senate Committees: The Cyberbullying Hearings”

Time to Consider Abolition of the Senate

This entry is part 3 of 13 in the series Vol 36 No 4 (Winter)

Time to Consider Abolition of the Senate

On November 6, 2013 the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan Assembly voted to repeal the Senate Nominee Election Act. Immediately thereafter the Premier introduced a motion that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan supports the abolition of the Senate of Canada. Following speeches by the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and other members the motion was adopted. The Government House Leader then asked the Speaker to transmit copies of the motion and verbatim transcripts to the Prime Minister of Canada and the leaders of the opposition parties in the House of Commons, as well as the premier of each Canadian province and territory. This article is a slightly abridged version of the Premier’s speech on the motion.

This is an important issue that we are about to debate in the Legislative Assembly. It is not the most important issue facing the province of Saskatchewan. For most people, it probably would not rank in the top twenty. So we are not going to spend a lot of time on the bicameral nature of our federal government and whether that should change. But we are going to make, I believe, an important pronouncement not just to our own provincial citizens to whom we are responsible, for whom we work, but I think as well to the country, to let them know that the province of Saskatchewan after some considerable deliberation — and not at all revolving around current affairs, though perhaps informed to some degree by them — have come to a view of what might be best for the country with respect to that bicameral parliament.

Continue reading “Time to Consider Abolition of the Senate”

The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Celebrate Women’s Success

This entry is part 4 of 13 in the series Vol 36 No 4 (Winter)

The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Celebrate Women’s Success

The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, as part of the larger Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, works towards better representation of women in legislatures throughout Canada and the Commonwealth. In July, the 2013 Steering Committee Meeting and Conference of the CWP was held in Edmonton. This article looks at the agenda of the conference and strategic projects for the CWP (Canada).

Continue reading “The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ Celebrate Women’s Success”

The Library of Parliament’s Research Service: Adding Value for Parliamentarians

This entry is part 5 of 13 in the series Vol 36 No 4 (Winter)

The Library of Parliament’s Research Service: Adding Value for Parliamentarians

Canada has one of the libraries in the Commonwealth that provides the most complete range of research and analysis services to legislators. At a recent presentation to the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in Singapore, the Canadian Parliamentary Librarian outlined how Canada provides research support to parliamentarians. Over the years many countries have been impressed by the services available to Canadian parliamentarians and have inquired about considerations to keep in mind when establishing similar services. This paper summarizes the thoughts that were shared with international colleagues interested in establishing their own research service.

Continue reading “The Library of Parliament’s Research Service: Adding Value for Parliamentarians”

Absentee Voting Rights: The Case of Nigeria

This entry is part 6 of 13 in the series Vol 36 No 4 (Winter)

Absentee Voting Rights: The Case of Nigeria

In 2012, six Members of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives led by Abike Dabiri-Erewa, House Committee Chair on Nigerians in the Diaspora sponsored a Legislative Bill that seeks to amend Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2010 in order to grant Nigerians in the Diaspora the right to vote during general elections in Nigeria. This article provides a detailed review of the provisions of the proposed legislation in order to ascertain and expand the rationale for the Bill, the advantages and disadvantages of the Bill, constitutional and legal issues around the Bill and a comparative analysis of similar legislation in other countries.

Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2010 is divided into 9 major Parts, 158 Sections and three Schedules. The Act provides for the establishment and functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)1, the Procedure at Elections; National Voters Register and Voters Registration; Formation, Functions and Powers of Political Parties; Electoral Offences, among other things.

Continue reading “Absentee Voting Rights: The Case of Nigeria”

Top