Alex Marland

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 Opinion: Nigel Wright was a true public servant. It is an eternal shame that Mike Duffy was the reason Nigel’s career came to an end.

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: opposition The Nova Scotia government is weakening democracy by packing bills with an unreasonable number of legislative changes, say opposition parties and political scientists.

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

Senator defends spending nearly $22K for English classes in Vancouver | CBC News Quebec Sen. Amina Gerba travelled to Vancouver with her husband for two 20-hour English courses at a total cost of nearly $22,000 — trips that several parliamentarians say raise ethical questions.

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.

The impossible office: why Canadian prime ministers fail The Canadian prime ministership is an impossible office, demanding that its occupant simultaneously pass three unforgiving tests: political, managerial, and collegial. Fail one and you’re limping. Fai...

"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...

Former CAQ minister leaves party after being booted from cabinet | CBC News The MNA for Rimouski Maïté Blanchette Vézina announced she's leaving the Coalition Avenir Québec party during a news conference Thursday.

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/...

Floyd: So curious why Newfoundland & Labrador doesn't seem to have such a simple provision!

N.L's former NDP leader is running as an Independent — in 2 different districts | CBC News Alison Coffin made the announcement on her website Monday, and is running as a candidate in Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde and Harbour Grace-Port de Grave.

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!

No donation limits allow companies, unions to fund N.L. election campaigns As members of Newfoundland and Labrador’s main political parties travel the province to campaign for votes, their signs, pamphlets, buses and gas bills are paid for in part by unions and private compa...

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 | CBC News April's election saw Canadians elect a slim Liberal minority government — the sixth minority government in the past two decade. Here's a breakdown of how the votes need to fall in order for legislatio...

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

Organizations can act when employees harm their brand. Free speech applies privately, but courts limit it when tied to an employer (e.g., a nurse criticizing the system while identified as a nurse risks losing registration). Even academic freedom has limits; a talk show host has none. Fair take?

The power of prime ministers: evidence from 21 parliamentary democracies This research note assesses the extent to which 21st-century prime ministers exert power to influence policy adoption and implementation. Additionally, it examines executive centralisation by analy...

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

Meet the new journalists bringing CBC News closer to you | CBC News Proximity is how CBC News builds trust and grows relationships with you, the people we serve, including those of you with whom we have weak or little connection. Here are the most recent additions to ...

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...

Albania appoints AI bot as minister to tackle corruption A new minister in Albania charged to handle public procurement will be impervious to bribes, threats, or attempts to curry favour. That is because Diella, as she is called, is an AI-generated bot.

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… National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.

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!

Saint Mary’s University announces Dr. Karly Kehoe as Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada | SMU News and Events Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Dr. Karly Kehoe, a distinguished scholar in the Department of History, has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (RSC). This prestigious ...

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. 🎂🎉🎈💯