Category: Feature

Women First Ministers: Working To Make The Exceptional Completely Unremarkable – An Interview with Kate Graham

This entry is part 2 of 10 in the series Vol 48 No. 1 (Spring)

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.

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Power Struggles in Parliament: Testimony from Former Federal Parliamentarians

This entry is part 3 of 10 in the series Vol 48 No. 1 (Spring)

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

This entry is part 4 of 10 in the series Vol 48 No. 1 (Spring)

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.

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The History of Ontario’s Legislative Research Office

This entry is part 5 of 10 in the series Vol 48 No. 1 (Spring)

The History of Ontario’s Legislative Research Office

With parliamentarians—particularly backbenchers—looking for more support in fulfilling their responsibilities to constituents as well as in lawmaking and oversight of government, demand for library research grew. Soon, it became apparent that a non-partisan research bureau focused on the needs of individual MPPs and legislative committees was the best path forward. In this article, the author examines the evolution of Ontario’s Legislative Research office.

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Canadian Study of Parliament Group Seminar: Parliament and the Media

This entry is part 6 of 10 in the series Vol 48 No. 1 (Spring)

Canadian Study of Parliament Group Seminar: Parliament and the Media

The media landscape is changing rapidly as Canadians obtain their news and information in ways one couldn’t conceive of just a few years ago. The relationship between Parliament and the media is also evolving, as parliamentarians leverage social media and other direct communications tools. On February 21, 2025, the Canadian Study of Parliament Group held a seminar to explore the relationship between Parliament and the media – past, present, and future.

Adam Lauzon

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To Annex or to Be Annexed? BC Parliamentarians Consider Joining Canada… And Bringing Some American States Along With Them

This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series Vol 48 No. 1 (Spring)

To Annex or to Be Annexed? BC Parliamentarians Consider Joining Canada… And Bringing Some American States Along With Them

In 1870, some plucky parliamentarians suggested that Canada should extend its borders a little at the expense of its powerful neighbour. Hilarity – and controversy – ensued.

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Constituency Office Business Continuity Planning: Alberta MLAs and Staff Share Stories From Wildfire Evacuations

This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

Constituency Office Business Continuity Planning: Alberta MLAs and Staff Share Stories From Wildfire Evacuations

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The Canadian Scene 

This entry is part 9 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

The Canadian Scene 

New Nova Scotia Speaker

Danielle  Barkhouse  (MLA  for  Chester- St. Margaret’s) was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nova Scotia on September 5, 2024 over Lisa Lachance (Halifax Citadel-Sable Island) and Rafah DiCostanzo (Clayton Park West).

Speaker Barkhouse had served as Deputy Speaker since November 3, 2022.

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International Perspectives On Constituency Office Safety

This entry is part 7 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 4 (Winter)

International Perspectives On Constituency Office Safety

After a decades-long political career in the United Kingdom, on January 31, 2024, Conservative Member of Parliament Mike Freer announced he would not be running for re-election. In his announcement, which came five weeks after the firebombing of his constituency office, Freer cited ongoing threats to his personal safety as precipitating his departure. In this interview, Freer recounts the events that led up to his early political retirement, outlines some of the personal security precautions he employed while a high-profile target, and offers advice to Canadian parliamentarians who are concerned about their personal safety in their homes, constituencies, and constituency offices.

Interview with Mike Freer

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