Essential Readings in Canadian Constitutional Politics

An impressive contribution to the field of constitutional politics with special attention to minority rights, the Charter, federalism, and intergovernmental relations in Canada. This book brings together a remarkable roster of established scholars that have shaped research in the disciplines of political science and constitutional law. An essential reader indeed for anyone who wants to understand why Canadian research has been highly appraised by countries in need of a foundational legacy. -- Alain-G. Gagnon, Universite du Quebec a Montreal This collection of writings on Canada's constitution is a must read for students and practitioners alike who wish to develop or enhance their understanding of the workings of our country. The range of topics covered is extensive and most thorough. -- Peter Milliken, former Speaker of the House of Commons This is a must-read collection of seminal essays that will be a valuable addition to the library of any serious student of Canadian constitutional politics. The collection includes familiar gems and a few forgotten ones, all of which warrant our renewed interest and intention for their illumination of the ideas and controversies upon which Canadian constitutionalism rests. -- Janet Hiebert, Queen's University Canada has long been looked to by comparativists, who are either intrigued by why it has survived intact in spite of its diversity, or by why it appears in danger of break-up in spite of its moderate political culture and prosperity. At last, they have a single text which collects together the classical answers to these questions. Edited by a young immigrant academic and a long-established scholar of Canadian constitutionalism, the contents have been carefully selected to give outside scholars a fundamental primer in Canada's political development since confederation. It's the first book on Canadian politics that outsiders should have on their shelves. -- John McGarry, Canada Research Chair in Nationalism and Democracy, Queen's University This book's arrival could not be more timely: Canada is about to enter rough constitutional waters again. With a veritable Hall of Fame of relevant experts, this collection provides the essential background for upcoming quests by students and practitioners to find reasonable solutions. -- John Meisel, Queen's University Understanding the Canadian Constitution is essential to understanding Canadian public policy. This collection of many of the most important articles on the Canadian Constitution serves as an excellent foundation for students, teachers, and practitioners of Canadian public policy who want to understand how Canada's constitution works and why it works the way it does. -- Matthew Mendelsohn, Director, Mowat Centre for Policy Innovation Understanding our modern constitutional history and future challenges requires critical touch points of perspective, analysis and intellectual reflection. This remarkable reader magnificently touches all the bases, in a way that enlightens and broadens understanding and perspective-an invaluable tool for student and practitioner alike. -- Senator Hugh Segal, former Associate Secretary of the Ontario Cabinet for Federal-Provincial Relations These are indeed essential readings for anyone seriously interested in the constitutional foundations of Canada-and in debates about the history, functioning, and future of Canadian institutions. -- Robert Young, University of Western Ontario A handbook for civil servants, a matchless reference for scholars, a goldmine for students wanting to understand the constitutional foundations of their country-Essential Readings in Canadian Constitutional Politics is just that-essential. Forgotten gems, contemporary classics, richly diverse interpretations; I see the creation of new university courses and the renovation of old, arising out of the publication of this fine collection. -- David Cameron, University of Toronto This choice collection of classical and contemporary pieces probes enduring Canadian constitutional issues. It engages with the country's political conundrums and supreme law in the context of Canada's ever-evolving political culture. Uniformly rich in quality, the articles in this much-welcomed compilation take readers on a journey that revisits origins and crises, principles and possibilities. -- Nelson Wiseman, University of Toronto Leuprecht and Russell have put together an impressive collection of articles by some of the best thinkers on Canadian constitutional politics. This important compendium will be extremely useful to scholars and others seeking the essentials on Canada, as well as to those looking at Canada in a comparative context. -- David Biette, Director, Canada Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars This is a terrific collection of carefully chosen texts that highlight key constitutional principles and continuing controversies. It is comprehensive in the range of topics covered and accessible in the organization and presentation of the material. -- Barbara Cameron, York University A most useful resource for practitioners, students, and anyone else interested in Canada's constitutional affairs. Comprehensive, easily accessible, and well organized, this anthology is a must read for the uninitiated. -- Rupak Chattopadhyay, Forum of Federations A veritable smorgasbord of constitutional delicacies! -- Thomas J. Courchene, Queen's University This book brings together many fundamental scholarly writings about the life and times of the Canadian Constitution. Many, such as the Forsey-Eglinton study of the question of confidence, have either never appeared in print, or are hard to find, even in university libraries. It should be a valuable handbook for anyone interested in the past and current state of the Canadian Constitution. -- C.E.S. Franks, Queen's University This invaluable collection of classic works on Canada's constitutional governance provides the perfect foundation for a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in Canadian politics. -- Kristin Good, Dalhousie University

Essential Readings in Canadian Constitutional Politics introduces students, scholars, and practitioners to classic authors and writings on the principles of the Canadian Constitution as well as to select contemporary material.

Essential Readings in Canadian Constitutional Politics introduces students, scholars, and practitioners to classic authors and writings on the principles of the Canadian Constitution as well as to select contemporary material. To complement rather than duplicate the state of the field, it deals with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and with Canadian mega-constitutional politics in passing only, focusing instead on institutions, federalism, intergovernmental relations, bilingualism and binationalism, the judiciary, minority rights, and constitutional renewal. Many of the selections reverberate well beyond Canada's borders, making this volume an unrivalled resource for anyone interested in constitutional governance and democratic politics in diverse societies.