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list price: $21.95
edition:Paperback
also available: eBook
category: Political Science
published: Nov 2005
ISBN:9781553800316
publisher: Ronsdale Press

Governor General and the Prime Ministers, The

The Making and Unmaking of Governments

by Edward McWhinney

tagged: constitutions
Description

Since Canada may be faced with a period of minority governments, it has become increasingly important to understand the role of the Head-of-State – the Governor General – in facing the challenge of dysfunctionality. Edward McWhinney clearly lays out the present powers and responsibilities of the office, advising the country on what to expect from the Governor General and Prime Ministers. He does so within an historical frame, revealing how the office has evolved from a time when the Governor General was the appointee and representative of the imperial government to today when the office has become part of Canada's constitutional checks and balances. McWhinney suggests how it is now possible to use the inherent powers of the Head-of-State in concert with the other coordinate arms of government to make the constitutional system work effectively in crisis situations. He delights in showing how the evolving constitutional precedents rarely result from high theory but from colourful personalities forced to make pragmatic decisions in difficult situations. He goes behind the scenes to portray royals, dignitaries and politicians in their private moments as they struggle to adapt constitutional rules to meet changing times. The volume ranges widely over the Commonwealth, showing how separate and diverse countries have drawn on one another's experience to refashion the Westminster model. McWhinney ends by suggesting possible directions for Canada after the departure of QueenElizabeth II.

About the Author

Edward McWhinney

Contributor Notes

Edward (Ted) McWhinney, one of the foremost experts on the Canadian constitution, is often called upon to advise the Canadian government. McWhinney has held professorships at Yale, the Sorbonne, Toronto, McGill, Indiana and Simon Fraser University. The author of many books, he travels frequently to give advice to the United Nations and foreign states. Throughout the 1990s he served two full terms as Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary. He continues his work as legal counsel, governmental adviser and writer from his home base in Vancouver.

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