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Political Science Essays

Legislatures in Evolution / Les législatures en transformation

edited by Charles Feldman, Geneviève Tellier & David Groves

contributions by Marie-Ève Belzile, Ian Bushfield, Steven Chaplin, Cristine de Clercy, Noah Laurence, Alex Marland, Katie E. Marshall, Floyd McCormick, Teale N. Phelps Bondaroff, Ranil Prasad, Adriana Thom & Anthony M. Weber

Publisher
Les Presses de l'Université d'Ottawa/University of Ottawa Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2022
Category
Essays, General, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780776637891
    Publish Date
    Sep 2022
    List Price
    $31.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780776637907
    Publish Date
    Sep 2022
    List Price
    $62.95

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Description

Legislatures in Evolution presents a series of essays on evolution and change in the legislative context. They cover a wide range of topics, including both proposed and implemented reforms.
The contributions included here discuss parliamentarians’ attitude toward party discipline; the specific challenges associated with implementing sexual harassment policies within legislatures; the consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mikisew Cree First Nation v. Canada on the government’s duty to consult Indigenous Peoples when drafting legislation; parliamentarians’ engagement in budgetary control issues; the reform of the rules governing prayers in the Legislature of British Columbia; and time management reforms in the Legislative Assembly of Yukon.
Charles Feldman, Geneviève Tellier, David Groves, and their contributors bring together both practical and academic experience and perspectives. They conclude with an analysis of parliamentary reforms, paying particular attention to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the functioning of legislatures.

About the authors

Charles Feldman's profile page

Geneviève Tellier is Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa. Her current research focuses on the role of parliamentary institutions in the budgetary process, the attitude of citizens toward budgetary policies, and the budget decision-making process of federal and provincial governments. She has authored two books, co-edited one, published several scientific papers, and is currently serving as a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Study of Parliament Group.

Geneviève Tellier's profile page

David Groves' profile page

Marie-Ève Belzile's profile page

Ian Bushfield's profile page

Steven Chaplin's profile page

Cristine de Clercy is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Studies and a research fellow with the Centre for the Study of Co-operatives at the University of Saskatchewan.

Cristine de Clercy's profile page

Noah Laurence's profile page

Alex Marland (Political Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland) was a public servant in the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador from 2003 to 2006. He coedited First Among Unequals: The Premier, Politics, and Policy in Newfoundland and Labrador and coauthored the textbook Inside Canadian Politics. His book Brand Command: Canadian Politics and Democracy in the Age of Message Control won the Donner Prize for best public policy book by a Canadian and the Atlantic Book Award for scholarly writing.

Alex Marland's profile page

Katie E. Marshall's profile page

Floyd McCormick's profile page

Teale N. Phelps Bondaroff's profile page

Ranil Prasad's profile page

Adriana Thom's profile page

Anthony M. Weber's profile page

Excerpt: Legislatures in Evolution / Les législatures en transformation (edited by Charles Feldman, Geneviève Tellier & David Groves; contributions by Marie-Ève Belzile, Ian Bushfield, Steven Chaplin, Cristine de Clercy, Noah Laurence, Alex Marland, Katie E. Marshall, Floyd McCormick, Teale N. Phelps Bondaroff, Ranil Prasad, Adriana Thom & Anthony M. Weber)

“Although legislatures are grounded in traditions—some many centuries old—they are nonetheless evolving institutions. Studying their evolution is necessary to know our past, understand our present, and guide our future.”
“Changing societal currents also find expression in the evolution of legislatures.”
“The study of legislatures and their evolution must not merely be an academic vocation. Empowering citizens to understand how their legislatures operate and to see that they are changing is critical to ensuring engagement. If citizens view their legislatures anachronisms frozen in time, it may breed distrust and disregard that in turn undermine democratic principles and their associated institutions.”