The Churchill Society

for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy

Parliamentary Democracy News

The Parliamentary Democracy News and Information Service provides timely links to online articles in order to help citizens better understand the workings of Canada’s democracy. The articles are chosen because they feature expert opinion and analysis from constitutional experts, political scientists and other authorities rather than excessive partisan rhetoric.

The opinions expressed in the articles below are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy.


Defending the royals
Andrew Coyne | Macleans.ca

The way forward with Canada’s maple Crown
Editorial | The Globe and Mail

The monarchy: Offshore, but built-in
Michael Valpy | The Globe and Mail

Grow up Canada: keep the monarchy
Peter H. Russell | The Toronto Star

Government of Canada Celebrates the Historical Significance of Memorial Tower
- Marketwire

The risks of rewriting rules of our democracy
- Les Whittington | The Toronto Star

A noble public servant
- Andrew Cohen | Ottawa Citizen

Turner in winter
- Douglas Bell | The Globe and Mail

John Turner’s proposals would enhance democracy
- Editorial | The Gazette

Quebec’s Pierre DesRuisseaux named parliamentary poet laureate
- CBC News | CBC.CA

Potential for politicization
- Editorial | The Globe and Mail

Crisis showed Parliamentary system not understood: Clarkson
- Rob Ferguson | The Toronto Star

Politics Q&A: Canada democracy in crisis?
- LIVE DISCUSSION: APRIL 21, 11 A.M. ET | The Toronto Star

Let MPs vet G-G candidates, and show hearings, Clarkson says
- Michael Valpy | The Globe and Mail

Canada’s new solitudes
- Frances Russell | The Winnipeg Free Press

Ed Schreyer, Superstar!
- Douglas Bell | The Globe and Mail

What if she had said no?
- C.E.S. Franks | The Globe and Mail

Sparkling diamonds, if not pearls of wisdom
- Tanya Talaga | The Toronto Star

Undergrads underwhelmed by Canadian studies
- Joanne Laucius | The Ottawa Citizen

Teacher invited to ‘insider’s view’ of Canada’s Parliament
- Corinne Fitzherbert | The Victoria Star

Over our Heads
- Rick Mercer | RickMercer.com

MPs the guardians of responsible government
- Matt Bondy | The Guelph Mercury

Coalition: The great debate continues
- Kevin Dewar | Chronicle Herald

Responsible government starts with voters
- Joe Cooper | Toronto Community News

And the future is: coalition
- William Cross | The Globe and Mail

Law profs mull over constitution
An open letter to Governor General Michaëlle Jean signed by 35 academic constitutional experts
- Giuseppe Valiante | The McGill Daily

Parliament vs. The People
On Monday,our MPs are coming back. Will they bring the madness with them?
- Andrew Potter |The Ottawa Citizen

Canadians Lack Basic Understanding of our Country’s Parliamentary System
- Dominion Institute survey published December 15, 2008

Extraordinary times demand extraordinary loyalty
Winston Churchill, who knew firsthand, was quite direct in his description of the extraordinary loyalty that politicians of all parties customarily extend to prime ministers in times of national crisis.
- Neil Reynolds | The Globe and Mail

Like it or not, our parliamentary system opens the door to coalition government
- Thomas O. Hueglin | The Record

Fly on the prorogation wall
Alexander Panetta | Canadian Press

Politicians, scholars say Governor General must dispel secrecy
- Tracey Tyler | Toronto Star

G-G made Harper work for prorogue
- Michal Valpy | The Globe and Mail

Fathers of democracy foresaw convulsions
- Angus Scott | Welland Tribune

Parliament’s flopping has Canadians hopping
The ‘showdown in Ottawa’ has re-engaged a complacent electorate and sparked political fervour
- Patrick White | The Globe and Mail

Jean’s decision sets ‘very dangerous’ precedent: constitutional expert
- Professor Errol Mendes, University of Ottawa | Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Library of Parliament Q&A: What are the rights and powers of the Governor-General?
- Library of Parliament | The National Post

Learning How to Live in a Parliamentary Democracy
- Peter Russell | The Toronto Star

Confidence crisis opportunity for constitutional lawyers
- Jim Middlemiss | FP Legal Post

Harper wrong on democracy claims: experts
- Jim Brown | The Canadian Press

Looming political showdown leaves Canadians confused
Turmoil tests Canadians understanding of system
- Ray Spiteri and Corey Larocque | Niagara Falls Review

Peace, order and good government
- Gerald Owen | The Globe and Mail

Don’t let Harper ‘duck a confidence vote’
- Former governor general Edward Schreyer speaks to CTV’s Canada AM – CTV News | CTV.CA

A most un-Canadian caper
Canada’s prime minister clings on to office, for the moment
- The Economist

History lessons
- Ottawa Citizen & Vancouver Sun

How will the Governor-General make her decision?
Professor Luc Juillet | The National Post

Nation will be watching Jean
Discretionary powers must be used carefully, scholars of Constitution warn
- Joanna Smith | Toronto Star

Harper’s Fate May Rest With Unelected, Titular Jean
- Alexandre Deslongchamps | Bloomberg

Going where no Governor-General has gone before
- Michael Valpy | The Globe and Mail

Misrepresenting our system of government
- Professor James Laxer | Toronto Star

Experts weigh PM’s options
Possible bid to avoid defeat by proroguing Parliament described as `dangerous’ precedent
- Joanna Smith | Toronto Star

Democracy in action or bloodless coup?
- CTV News | CTV.CA

Coalitions ‘part of our system’: Trent prof.

If you would like to draw an article or website to our attention, or you would like to send us your comments and feedback, please e-mail us at webmaster@churchillsociety.org.