Category: Feature
Rebuilding Canada’s Bilingual Legislative Tradition: A Road Map Solidified by and for Legislators
One-Way Bilingualism: Anglonormativity in the House of Commons
Reporting Parliamentary Proceedings in Multiple Languages: British Columbia’s Approach
Indigenous Languages in the House of Commons: Moving From Exceptions to Practice
Indigenous Languages in the House of Commons: Moving From Exceptions to Practice
From Confederation to the present day, Indigenous cultures – including languages, but also governance practices and other traditions – have been underrepresented across Canadian public institutions. In this article, the author summarizes how action and advocacy by Indigenous MPs, decisions by the House of Commons, and subsequent efforts by the House Administration in recent years have ushered in a new era for the use of Indigenous languages in proceedings.
Keelan Buck
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The Value of Multilingual Parliaments: A Commonwealth Perspective
The Value of Multilingual Parliaments: A Commonwealth Perspective
Multilingualism is a defining characteristic of many Commonwealth nations. As such, the practice of bilingual or multilingual governance, particularly within Parliaments, embodies democratic inclusivity, cultural preservation, and social equity. In this article, the author explores the value of bilingual Parliaments within the Commonwealth, drawing on case studies from Kenya, Canada, South Africa, Wales, and New Zealand. It examines both the benefits and challenges of institutionalizing linguistic diversity in legislative settings and offers recommendations rooted in innovation and participatory governance. *This article is a revised and expanded version of a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association blog post first published on February 21, 2025.
James Pinnell
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How Language Can be Taxing
How Language Can be Taxing
Income tax is one of the Government’s main sources of funding and fiscal measures cover all aspects of our lives, from cradle to grave. The concepts are complex, and the terminology concerns every area of human activity. Translating tax laws is therefore a major challenge. In this article, the authors provide a brief history of Québec’s Taxation Act and then call on their experience as translators and revisers of Québec tax laws to discuss the language issues they face daily.
Patrick Tye and Nathalie Polet
Women First Ministers: Working To Make The Exceptional Completely Unremarkable – An Interview with Kate Graham
Women First Ministers: Working To Make The Exceptional Completely Unremarkable – An Interview with Kate Graham
Canada has had only 16 women first ministers. To date, no woman first minister retained has assumed that position, or retained that position, after more than a single general election. Why is that? And why, as of the date of publication, are there only two woman first ministers currently holding office? These are questions Kate Graham has explored in research that has produced two seasons of a podcast, two books, and much discussion among audiences to whom she has spoken. In this one-on-one interview, Canadian Parliamentary Review editorial intern Annie Dowd asks this author and professor how Canadians can change the trend line and ensure the governments we elect are more representative of populations they serve.
Power Struggles in Parliament: Testimony from Former Federal Parliamentarians
Power Struggles in Parliament: Testimony from Former Federal Parliamentarians
The actions of politicians have a profound impact on democracy, and the experience of Canadian MPs highlights major challenges related to hyper-partisanship and the concentration of executive power. Since 2008, the Samara Centre for Democracy has gathered testimonies from over 160 former parliamentarians, shedding light on the evolving role of MPs and the obstacles to balanced governance. Interviewed Members of Parliament in the context of the Samara Centre’s MP Exit Interview Project express growing concerns about the dominance of partisan interests over their parliamentary functions, limiting their autonomy and ability to represent citizens. To address these issues, several reforms are proposed: countering toxic behavior, strengthening the role of the caucus, fostering multi party cooperation and establishing permanent constituency offices. These changes aim to create a more dynamic and inclusive democracy.
Politicians’ actions have a significant impact on the growth or failure of a democracy. In Canada’s current political arena, solidarity and deference are more important than debate and accountability toward citizens.
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Parliament (Un)plugged: Virtual Practices and Procedures Across Canadian Jurisdictions
Parliament (Un)plugged: Virtual Practices and Procedures Across Canadian Jurisdictions
Beyond the immediate public health impacts, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged parliaments and parliamentarians to consider new measures to fulfil their parliamentary responsibilities. Introducing virtual practices in chambers across Canada provided opportunities to consider how these technologies could sustain, but also adapt, the functions of legislative bodies: to legislate, debate, scrutinize, and represent. In light of these changes to procedures across Canada, it is important to document how different jurisdictions have modified their practices to utilize virtual communication technologies. This article outlines what virtual practices were implemented during and following the pandemic across Canada in many provincial and territorial legislatures, as well as the House of Commons and Senate of Canada.