Author Archives
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Executive Summary – The Parliamentary Financial Cycle
Reading Time: 3 minutesDisponible en français. One of Parliament’s fundamental roles is to review and approve the government’s taxation and spending plans. To fulfill this role, parliamentarians follow the parliamentary financial cycle, which consists of a continuous loop of activities that take place… Read More ›
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Executive Summary – Appointment of Officers of Parliament
Reading Time: < 1 minuteDisponible en français. Officers of Parliament support both houses in their accountability and scrutiny functions by carrying out independent oversight responsibilities assigned to them by statute. These officers are responsible directly to Parliament rather than to the government or a federal… Read More ›
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The Opening and First Days of a New Parliament of Canada
Reading Time: 8 minutesDisponible en français. A general election is followed by the opening of a new session of the Parliament of Canada, marking the beginning of a new parliamentary cycle. The opening involves a series of parliamentary ceremonies and procedures that precede… Read More ›
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Executive Summary – Transition to the 45th Parliament: Key Roles, Government Formation and Other Issues
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. Canada’s founding document, the Constitution Act, 1867, established the country as a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Executive authority resides with the Sovereign or that person’s representative (i.e., the Governor General of Canada). The Constitution assigns the Governor… Read More ›
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Poverty Reduction Efforts in Canada
Reading Time: 7 minutesDisponible en français. There are numerous ways to define and measure poverty. For example, Indigenous Peoples’ conceptions of poverty go beyond financial considerations, and the concept may be discussed in a way that places an emphasis on well-being. Views of… Read More ›
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Immigration Detention in Canada
Reading Time: 9 minutesDisponible en français. Canada’s immigration detention system is governed by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) and the international human rights treaties ratified by the government. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA)… Read More ›
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Leadership Changes and Transfers of Responsibilities in Parliament: The Role of Constitutional Conventions and Other Rules
Reading Time: 6 minutesDisponible en français. Beyond the strategic, media and political considerations at play in federal party leadership campaigns, there are constitutional conventions and rules, often less well known, governing the departure of leaders and their replacement in the Senate or the… Read More ›
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Making Sense of Canada’s Defence Spending
Reading Time: 5 minutesDisponible en français. Domestically, discussions about Canada’s defence spending are generally focused on the Department of National Defence (DND), including the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). However, in reporting their defence spending to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO, or the… Read More ›
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Canada–United States Border Security: Drug Trafficking and Irregular Migration
Reading Time: 7 minutesDisponible en français. A secure border helps keep the population safe from various criminal threats while allowing for the legal movement of people and goods across the border. With this in mind, States must work together to address major issues,… Read More ›
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Executive Summary – Gender Equality in Canada
Reading Time: 2 minutesDisponible en français. Gender equality means that every person, regardless of their gender identity, has the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities. While in Canada, every individual is equal and has the right to equal protection and benefit of the law,… Read More ›