Sitting as an Independent will be far more pallatable to voters in Edmonton Riverbend than if he had crossed the floor. Explainer at partyloyalty.ca

Usually, parliamentarians who publicly say they are thinking about crossing the floor are quickly shown the door. For research on this, see partyloyalty.ca

🧵1/ What happens when your party tells you to “be quiet until everyone else has spoken”? Chuck Porter, former Nova Scotia MLA, said that meant telling 15,000 voters in Hants West to be quiet. So in 2014, he quit the PCs and sat as an Independent 👇

Where did the tradition of Canada’s finance minister wearing new shoes on budget day come from? 👞🍁 Mary Francoli & I traced it from a 1955 quip to a 2004 staple. It’s now a distinctly Canadian photo-op that blends tradition, symbolism & media strategy. cjc.utppublishing.com/doi/10.22230...

“This book is essential reading for anyone interested in loyalty, dissent, and betrayal in political parties and legislative politics.” Rob Currie-Wood, @mountroyalu.bsky.social Learn more: bit.ly/43FUlFX @alexmarland.bsky.social @jaredwesley.ca @mireillelalancette.bsky.social #PoliSci

Having studied numerous cases of parliamentarians departing from cabinet and caucus in Canada, I cannot recall an instance in which a premier appeared alongside a departing minister at a news conference to announce the minister’s resignation and decision to sit as an Independent.

What effect will Danielle Smith's absence have on caucus unity? In our new book, No I in Team (partyloyalty.ca) we highlight the importance of face-to-face, eye-to-eye caucus management. By most accounts, Smith's leadership style relies heavily on that approach. Here are some excerpts...+

1/6 Lack of awareness of the electoral reform plebiscite is not a surprise. In his submission to the Yukon Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee on Electoral Reform, Graham White, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, offered the following advice:

Q&A | ‘Treachery’ and ‘troublemaker’ MPs: Alex Marland on why going against party leaders is verboten in Canadian politics www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...

Thank you for the surprise delivery, @fsnagovsky.bsky.social. Well played, sir. Well played.

As far as party exits go, this one was mild. Usually a parliamentarian in this situation levels harsh allegations against their former leader. See partyloyalty.ca

Today’s Canadian parliamentary anniversary? It’s been a decade since the Reform Act, 2014 came into force on October 26, 2015. This is an editorial the Globe and Mail ran that week, encouraging all parties to submit to the opt-in provisions re caucus management. 1/4

No 'I' in Team: why party discipline has gone too far, with Alex Marland. Listen here! Hill Times: www.hilltimes.com/podcast/no-i... Apple: apple.co/36Xy34C Spotify: spoti.fi/3lOeth9

That new book feeling doesn't get old, even when you're older. PartyLoyalty.ca

Thrilled to share that "No I in Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics" is finally in print! Deep research into why Canadian politicians rarely dissent from their leaders. Learn more at partyloyalty.ca @uoftpress.bsky.social @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social @jaredwesley.ca @mireillelalancette.bsky.social

🚨 A fantastic opportunity for Canadian Politics grad students! Several of my colleagues and I have had the benefit of this fellowship - beyond the financial award (much appreciated by any grad student), you also get to mobilize your research for scholars, bureaucrats, and parliamentarians 🇨🇦🧑‍🎓📚

A series of recent floor crossings in the Senate raises important questions about the nature of partisanship in Canada. In our new book (partyloyalty.ca), we cover similar developments over the past 4 decades in the House of Commons and provincial legislators. www.ipolitics.ca/2025/10/16/s...

Get the inside track! 🎯 Here’s a sneak peek at the 8 workshops that will define #CPSA_ACSP26👇🏾 DEADLINE NOV 10 25 shorturl.at/AgUow @lindsaylarios.bsky.social @matthewlebo.bsky.social @jonathanmalloy.bsky.social @alexmarland.bsky.social @joannaeveritt.bsky.social @raulpachecovega.bsky.social

The Supreme Court of Canada deserves an A+ for its new robes. The red & white ones were the colours of the Canadian flag -- but also those of the Liberal Party. A good move to better express judicial neutrality. #cdnpoli

Public mandate letters have become important instruments of governance in Canada. This article, by our President and CEO Allen Sutherland, examines the ongoing metamorphosis of mandate letters as an instrument of governance from the Trudeau to the Carney government.

Big news for CPSA 2026 - the Canadian Legislatures and Leadership Workshop, organized by @alexmarland.bsky.social and yours truly! uOttawa, June 2-4, 2026 as part of the Canadian Political Science Association meetings. @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social More info: mycpsa-cpsa-acsp.ca/cfp/cfp_callE

Something doesn’t add up in the Marineland beluga whale dispute. In government, new policies usually apply on a go-forward basis, with provisions -- like grandparenting or support measures -- for those who would be unfairly affected by new rules.

Students from Acadia, SMU & UQTR got a behind-the-scenes look at politics & media in Halifax on Friday — visiting CBC, CTV, NATIONAL PR & the NS Legislature. From newsroom bias to party discipline, lots learned about how democracy really works. Huge thanks to all our hosts!

MacDougall: My wish for Canadian public life is a thousand more Nigel Wrights ottawacitizen.com/opinion/reme...

Finally! The first NL election poll is here. Big thanks to Narrative Research for sharing this publicly. Done in August… let’s see how it holds up heading into Oct 14. #nlpoli

N.S. government weakening democracy by packing bills with many changes www.ctvnews.ca/atlantic/art...

The rules in the Senate of Canada need to change. www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

So very sad to hear of Nigel Wright’s passing. In my interactions with him Nigel was always sharp, principled, and deeply committed to Canadian democracy. He was unfailingly helpful over the years with my research, and with students. I’ll miss his kindness and wisdom.

Great to see this new book on Canadian PMs & their cabinets! It looks like an excellent resource. Along with co-authors Jeni Armstrong & Dan Arnold, I contributed the chapter on Justin Trudeau’s ever-changing team -- constantly updated right up to Mark Carney becoming PM.

"Caucus holds the quiet power to end a leader’s run....The only real question is whether Carney can convince his caucus, not just Canadians, that he still has the edge to survive...The impossible office always defeats its occupant in the end." www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/0...

Wrapped up the Political Leadership & Trust workshop at Acadia University! Two days of sharing ideas, exchanging feedback, and building connections — with book projects, a panel on democracy & trust, and a prize for best presentation. Grateful to all who made it a success! 🎉

Great energy at the Political Leadership & Trust in Canada workshop at Acadia University! 🎉 Smart discussions, solid research, and amazing vibes all around. #cdnpoli

I see the case for a premier's satellite office in the central Newfoundland. But is it good value in Canada's most indebted province, with urgent needs in healthcare, education, roads, housing, cost of living, etc? Consider the Fraser Institute on NL's debt: www.fraserinstitute.org/commentary/g...

Politicians often cite matters of conviction for leaving their parties, while the media tends to frame the events as matters of ambition. This can make it difficult -- and facinating -- to study party defections in Canada. Read more in our new book: 🔗 partyloyalty.ca. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

I support more Independents in Canadian legislatures, which are overly dominated by parties. I know of an Alberta candidate who was endorsed by multiple parties -- but running in two districts? That’s right out of a 19th century playbook. Time to update the Elections Act. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Great kickoff for the Regional Advisory Council of the Jarislowsky Chair at Acadia University! Lots of ideas on boosting public engagement -- turnout, mentoring, civic education, running for office, building trust. Grateful for the energy & insights!

Reasonable limits on corporate & union donations are missing in Newfoundland & Labrador, with consequences for democracy. www.ctvnews.ca/canada/newfo...

How the votes need to land to get legislation passed this parliamentary session. Liberals are only a few seats short of a majority, will need support from another party to push agenda through www.cbc.ca/news/politic... Find out more at nationalnewswatch.com

Surprise: Canadian PMs are now seen as less powerful than in the past -- likely due to minority gov’ts. Still, power is highly centralized & party discipline among the strongest in Western parliaments. #cdnpoli www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Details are scanty about party/leader polling in Newfoundland & Labrador. No public polls in 2025! Narrative Research found that support for the NL government before the election call was 66%. Survey was Aug. 7-29. Source: Chronicle Herald Sept 18. #nlpoli

Great to see an influx of #CBC journalists in smaller communities across Canada. People outside of big cities need their stories told, and to see themselves and their concerns in the news. Two positions for Atlantic Canada is a start. www.cbc.ca/news/editors...

Good grief! Reuters: Albania appoints AI bot as minister to tackle corruption www.reuters.com/technology/a...

Provincial election? Bring it on, say Newfoundland critics of Quebec energy deal nationalnewswatch.com/2025/09/14/p...

Look what arrived in the mail! Right up my alley. Rob Currie-Wood has gone deep into an assortment of Conservative, Liberal & NDP documents. Just the kind of research we need to better understand how political parties operate in Canada. #cdnpoli @ubcpress.bsky.social

Looks like the Toronto Star headline desk has been borrowing some lingo from @jaredwesley.ca's Common Ground project. 👀

Upcoming event at Acadia University!

Congratulations to Dr. @karlykehoe.bsky.social of @historysmu.bsky.social, named a Fellow of @src-rsc.bsky.social in recognition of her "influential scholarship and exceptional public outreach" informing global migration strategies. Learn more: loom.ly/LJxMsoU #rscBRAVOsrc #artswithimpact

Today Acadia University joins voices across Canada in celebrating Stephen Jarislowsky’s 100th birthday. His vision and generosity have transformed student lives, and are strengthening Canadian democracy. 🎂🎉🎈💯

Look what arrived today — looking forward to reading it! Especially keen about chapter 5 “Reticence Towards Party Discipline & Ideological Misalignment.” 🙂📕 Bravo @angeliawagner.bsky.social