The Right to Effective Representation: Nova Scotia’s Exceptional Constituencies Model and the Chéticamp Region

This entry is part 7 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 1 (Spring)

The Right to Effective Representation: Nova Scotia’s Exceptional Constituencies Model and the Chéticamp Region

This article explores the current debate in Nova Scotia over whether to create a so-called protected, or exceptional, provincial constituency for the Acadian population of Chéticamp. In addition to having been a controversial issue before the most recent provincial Electoral Boundaries Commission, the matter is currently before the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. The author contends that this matter raises fundamental questions about both the normative and institutional requirements of the right to effective representation as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The article addresses these issues by analyzing the model Nova Scotia has implemented to ensure effective representation of Acadian and African Nova Scotians. The author concludes the analysis by explaining why he believes a protected constituency for the Acadian region of Chéticamp is consistent with Nova Scotia’s model of effective representation.

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Voter Parity and the Quest for Effective Representation in the Yukon

This entry is part 8 of 11 in the series Vol. 47 No. 1 (Spring)

Voter Parity and the Quest for Effective Representation in the Yukon

In 2018, a bill attempting to establish new electoral boundaries in the Yukon following the recommendations of an electoral district boundary commission was defeated at second reading. As a result, the electoral boundaries in the territory remain the same as the ones established in 2008 despite population changes which have created significant variance within some of these districts. Legislation to establish boundaries recommended by a newly created electoral district boundaries commission will need to pass by spring 2025 if they are to be in place in time for the next general election (scheduled for November 3, 2025). In this article, the author describes the history of electoral district boundary commissions in the territory since the advent of partisan politics, explains why the recommendations in 2018 were not accepted, and outlines what he believes to be the two primary considerations the new commission must reconcile: providing fair and effective representation for rural communities and ensuring voter parity for Whitehorse area districts.

Floyd McCormick

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Between Freedom of Expression and Cyberviolence: The Use of Social Media and its Effects on Political Engagement

This entry is part 2 of 11 in the series Vol 46 No. 4 (Winter)

Between Freedom of Expression and Cyberviolence: The Use of Social Media and its Effects on Political Engagement

Senate Public Bills as “Excellent Policy Value” for Canadians

This entry is part 3 of 11 in the series Vol 46 No. 4 (Winter)

Senate Public Bills as “Excellent Policy Value” for Canadians

Debates over the legitimacy of the Canadian Senate have been ongoing since its creation. In a democracy, should an unelected body have and wield the power to amend or defeat legislation emerging from an elected body? Should senators restrict themselves to sober second thought that is akin to administrative compliance officers, or should they be proactively legislating on issues of concerns to Canadians? In this article, the authors suggest that recent reforms to the Senate’s appointment process and the emergence of a significant number of senators without partisan affiliation present an opportunity to demonstrate the upper chamber’s utility to public policy creation. The authors point to Senate public bills (SPBs) as a tool to advance important policy ideas that may not otherwise be top of mind to the government of the day. Although SPBs were in existence and widely used prior to recent Senate reforms, the authors contend the non-partisan origins of many recent and current SPBs mean they may have different benefits, including: actualizing or accelerating the realization of specific government proposals included in electoral platforms or ministerial mandate letters; tackling policy blind spots and emerging issues that the government fails to address; and drawing attention to, and initiating public debate on, novel ideas, long-term legislative evolution, or politically difficult topics to expand the “Overton Window” in Canada. The authors conclude that SPBs offer “excellent policy value” for Canadians and, if not stymied by internal vetting or horse- trading politics, could go a long way to moderating public cynicism about partisan politics.

Hon. Julie Miville-Dechêne, Hon. Ratna Omidvar, Jérôme Lussier and Paul Faucette

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Review of the Statutory Offices of Newfoundland and Labrador: Reconsidering Oversight Structures

This entry is part 4 of 11 in the series Vol 46 No. 4 (Winter)

Review of the Statutory Offices of Newfoundland and Labrador: Reconsidering Oversight Structures

Statutory officers hold an essential role in the Canadian parliamentary structure, but one that has been described as operating in a “constitutional twilight zone” underscored by their largely ad hoc development. In this article, the author describes a chaotic series of events in Newfoundland and Labrador which prompted the province’s Minister of Justice and Public Safety to launch a review of the operations of statutory offices. As a researcher for retired Justice Robert Fowler, the person tasked with conducting this review, the author explains how greater definitional clarity, added oversight, and processes for managing conflicts and independently evaluating officers seeking reappointment were among Justice Fowler’s general recommendations. Although the author notes the effectiveness of the team’s proposed recommendations nor their implementation cannot and should not be presumed, the Review of Statutory Offices hoped to reaffirm the role of statutory officers in promoting good governance. This article is based on the author’s analysis of the cited publicly available materials.

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Destroying “Foul and Filthy” Committee Evidence: Revisiting a Peculiar Private Bill and a Senate Scandal

This entry is part 5 of 11 in the series Vol 46 No. 4 (Winter)

Destroying “Foul and Filthy” Committee Evidence: Revisiting a Peculiar Private Bill and a Senate Scandal

A unique and dramatic set of events unfolded in the Senate of Canada when Mary Matilda White petitioned Parliament for a divorce bill in 1888. She was the first petitioner since Confederation to allege her husband’s impotence and the ensuing committee procedures involved a medical examination. What happens next is a scandal that resulted in the Senate ordering the destruction of a committee’s evidence. This article recounts this peculiar tale from the annals of Canadian parliamentary history. NB: Quoted source material in this article contains language that is anachronistic and offensive. As such, reader discretion is advised.

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Canadian Network Created to Promote High Standards of Trust and Political Leadership

This entry is part 6 of 11 in the series Vol 46 No. 4 (Winter)

Canadian Network Created to Promote High Standards of Trust and Political Leadership

A unique partnership among five universities, funded in part by Montreal philanthropist Stephen Jarislowsky, has created what’s believed to be a first-of-its-kind network in Canada to promote ethics and high standards of ethics, trust, and political leadership. In this article, the authors describe the program’s aims and outline past and planned events and activities. The authors conclude with a call to parliamentarians, political staff, and non-partisan parliamentary employees to share ideas with and make requests to the program’s chairs.

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The State of Civic Education: A Roundtable

This entry is part 7 of 11 in the series Vol 46 No. 4 (Winter)

The State of Civic Education: A Roundtable

If the children are our future, will a healthy participatory democracy be a part of that future? How are schools and non-governmental organizations doing in terms of teaching young people (and, for that matter, all people) to understand their society and the various ways we seek to answer the fundamental civic question: how we live together as a public? In this roundtable, the Canadian Parliamentary Review asked five individuals involved in various aspects of civic education to offer their thoughts on where we’ve come from, where we are, and, ideally, where we want to go when it comes to teaching and engaging the public.

*This is an edited and revised transcript compiled from three discussions with participants.

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Working life on the Hill

This entry is part 2 of 12 in the series Vol 46 No. 3 (Autumn)

Working life on the Hill

Members of Parliament (MPs) are the institution’s most public face. Supporting them are the skilled and dedicated employees of the House of Commons Administration (House Administration), who anticipate MPs’ needs and deliver personalized, streamlined, quality services.

As one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, the House Administration is committed to helping its employees realize their full potential. It offers them many opportunities for career development and advancement, and even opportunities for a career change if they would like to try something new in a different field. As the House of Commons supports a hybrid and flexible workforce, its employees have been able to work in a hybrid format since 2020. The hybrid work environment is a combination of remote and on-site work, meaning that some employees may work on-site on a full-time basis, while others may alternate between working on-site and from home.

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Building Connections and Sharing Best Practices: Parliamentary Service Organizations

This entry is part 3 of 12 in the series Vol 46 No. 3 (Autumn)

Building Connections and Sharing Best Practices: Parliamentary Service Organizations

Parliaments do not operate as silos. Parliamentarians are keenly aware of debates occurring among their colleagues across the country and internationally. Legislation adopted in one jurisdiction is often studied and consulted when another parliament is considering a similar issue. And, every year, parliamentarians attend meetings and conferences, such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s gatherings, to meet their counterparts, discuss their roles and systems of governance, and forge important networks to exchange information. Many parliamentary service staff have developed their own organizations for similar reasons. In this roundtable, the Canadian Parliamentary Review invited representatives of some of these groups to discuss the work their membership does and how their membership benefits from participating in groups that facilitate networking and information sharing.

Participants: Gerry Burla, Andrew Henry, Deanna Wilson, and Bruce C. Young

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