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Alex Marland

Statecraft opens the cabinet door on prime ministerial power in Ottawa

  • Editors Stephen Azzi and Patrice Dutil—professors at Carleton University and Toronto Metropolitan University, respectively—have spent years studying and publishing about Canadian prime ministers. In Statecraft,
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 8, 2025
The Prime Minister's Office in Ottawa. Investigating the inner workings of cabinet is never easy, given that the institution is designed to operate in secret behind closed doors. Statecraft sets out to examine political leadership, the dynamics of cabinet collegiality, and the stewardship of government, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Statecraft opens the cabinet door on prime ministerial power in Ottawa

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 8, 2025
  • Editors Stephen Azzi and Patrice Dutil—professors at Carleton University and Toronto Metropolitan University, respectively—have spent years studying and publishing about Canadian prime ministers. In Statecraft,

Statecraft opens the cabinet door on prime ministerial power in Ottawa

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 8, 2025
  • Editors Stephen Azzi and Patrice Dutil—professors at Carleton University and Toronto Metropolitan University, respectively—have spent years studying and publishing about Canadian prime ministers. In Statecraft,
The Prime Minister's Office in Ottawa. Investigating the inner workings of cabinet is never easy, given that the institution is designed to operate in secret behind closed doors. Statecraft sets out to examine political leadership, the dynamics of cabinet collegiality, and the stewardship of government, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Peggy Nash knows a thing or two about the highs and lows of elections, so she wrote a book about it

  • Five federal campaigns, a leadership race and extensive involvement with Equal Voice gives Peggy Nash a wealth of experience in campaigning. So she decided
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 19, 2022
Then-NDP MP Peggy Nash, pictured in 2012 at a CPAC party in the West Block courtyard, with Peter Van Dusen, left, and then-Liberal MP John McCallum, right. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Peggy Nash knows a thing or two about the highs and lows of elections, so she wrote a book about it

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 19, 2022
  • Five federal campaigns, a leadership race and extensive involvement with Equal Voice gives Peggy Nash a wealth of experience in campaigning. So she decided

Peggy Nash knows a thing or two about the highs and lows of elections, so she wrote a book about it

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 19, 2022
  • Five federal campaigns, a leadership race and extensive involvement with Equal Voice gives Peggy Nash a wealth of experience in campaigning. So she decided
Then-NDP MP Peggy Nash, pictured in 2012 at a CPAC party in the West Block courtyard, with Peter Van Dusen, left, and then-Liberal MP John McCallum, right. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

The Political Party in Canada fills a crucial gap for a comprehensive, updated study of Canadian political parties 

  • The executive and legislative branches of government are the main ways to exert political influence, particularly in cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office. But
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 19, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. Authors Bill Cross, Scott Pruysers, and Rob Currie-Wood tackle the core question: 'who, or what, is the political party in Canada?' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

The Political Party in Canada fills a crucial gap for a comprehensive, updated study of Canadian political parties 

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 19, 2022
  • The executive and legislative branches of government are the main ways to exert political influence, particularly in cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office. But

The Political Party in Canada fills a crucial gap for a comprehensive, updated study of Canadian political parties 

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 19, 2022
  • The executive and legislative branches of government are the main ways to exert political influence, particularly in cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office. But
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Green Party Leader Elizabeth May. Authors Bill Cross, Scott Pruysers, and Rob Currie-Wood tackle the core question: 'who, or what, is the political party in Canada?' The Hill Times photographs by Andrew Meade

Some interesting reads about Canadian politics in 2021

  • Political scientists authored many interesting books about Canadian politics in 2021. Here’s a sample published by three of Canada’s largest academic publishers: University of
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 20, 2021
A must-read for anyone interested in the Senate is Constitutional Pariah: Reference re Senate Reform and the Future of Parliament (UBC Press), by Emmett Macfarlane. Grounded in the Supreme Court’s reference decision in 2014 about electing Senators and setting term limits, Constitutional Pariah branches into a detailed examination of the role of the Senate and the fallout of that landmark decision, writes Alex Marland. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Some interesting reads about Canadian politics in 2021

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 20, 2021
  • Political scientists authored many interesting books about Canadian politics in 2021. Here’s a sample published by three of Canada’s largest academic publishers: University of

Some interesting reads about Canadian politics in 2021

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 20, 2021
  • Political scientists authored many interesting books about Canadian politics in 2021. Here’s a sample published by three of Canada’s largest academic publishers: University of
A must-read for anyone interested in the Senate is Constitutional Pariah: Reference re Senate Reform and the Future of Parliament (UBC Press), by Emmett Macfarlane. Grounded in the Supreme Court’s reference decision in 2014 about electing Senators and setting term limits, Constitutional Pariah branches into a detailed examination of the role of the Senate and the fallout of that landmark decision, writes Alex Marland. Image courtesy of Pixabay

Stand and deliver: Godbout does a deep dive on party discipline and the influence of government in Parliament

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—In recent years, a Université de Montreal trailblazer has been publishing sophisticated research about the history of party discipline in Canada. Jean-François
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 21, 2020
A sparse number of MPs, pictured May 13, 2020, in the House of Commons for a meeting of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Lost on Division is a significant contribution to research about the Parliament of Canada and parliamentary parties. It is the only comprehensive study of Canadian MPs’ voting behaviour from Confederation to present day and offers a new way of tracing the evolution of party discipline. It makes a convincing argument that if MPs truly want more individual clout, they will need to band together to change the standing orders, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Stand and deliver: Godbout does a deep dive on party discipline and the influence of government in Parliament

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 21, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—In recent years, a Université de Montreal trailblazer has been publishing sophisticated research about the history of party discipline in Canada. Jean-François

Stand and deliver: Godbout does a deep dive on party discipline and the influence of government in Parliament

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 21, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—In recent years, a Université de Montreal trailblazer has been publishing sophisticated research about the history of party discipline in Canada. Jean-François
A sparse number of MPs, pictured May 13, 2020, in the House of Commons for a meeting of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic. Lost on Division is a significant contribution to research about the Parliament of Canada and parliamentary parties. It is the only comprehensive study of Canadian MPs’ voting behaviour from Confederation to present day and offers a new way of tracing the evolution of party discipline. It makes a convincing argument that if MPs truly want more individual clout, they will need to band together to change the standing orders, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Five political scientists offer fresh insights into election campaigning in three provinces

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—If all goes according to plan, on Oct. 26 voters in Saskatchewan will head to the polls, grab some hand sanitizer, and
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | August 3, 2020
Provincial Battles, National Prize? Elections in a Federal State, by Laura B. Stephenson, Andrea Lawlor, William P. Cross, André Blais and Elisabeth Gidengil, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2019. Image courtesy McGill-Queen's University Presss

Five political scientists offer fresh insights into election campaigning in three provinces

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | August 3, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—If all goes according to plan, on Oct. 26 voters in Saskatchewan will head to the polls, grab some hand sanitizer, and

Five political scientists offer fresh insights into election campaigning in three provinces

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | August 3, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—If all goes according to plan, on Oct. 26 voters in Saskatchewan will head to the polls, grab some hand sanitizer, and
Provincial Battles, National Prize? Elections in a Federal State, by Laura B. Stephenson, Andrea Lawlor, William P. Cross, André Blais and Elisabeth Gidengil, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2019. Image courtesy McGill-Queen's University Presss

‘Bold decisions’ are needed if the CBC is to survive

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—For those who can, reading a book is a good way to pass the time during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s excellent escapism
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 30, 2020
David Taras and Chris Waddell say the CBC 'must become smaller and more focused on delivering a narrower range of services.' To them, this means prioritizing high quality news and current affairs operations.

‘Bold decisions’ are needed if the CBC is to survive

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 30, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—For those who can, reading a book is a good way to pass the time during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s excellent escapism

‘Bold decisions’ are needed if the CBC is to survive

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 30, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—For those who can, reading a book is a good way to pass the time during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s excellent escapism
David Taras and Chris Waddell say the CBC 'must become smaller and more focused on delivering a narrower range of services.' To them, this means prioritizing high quality news and current affairs operations.

CBC is a critically important Canadian institution, it should step up its game

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—During the COVID-19 pandemic the CBC recently shut down local 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. TV newscasts. CBC News executives have their
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 30, 2020
CBC Parliament Hill reporter Catherine Cullen, pictured on March 26, 2020. To be successful, a brand needs to connect emotionally with its audiences so that they prefer it over the alternatives, even when the alternatives otherwise better suit their needs, writes Alex Marland. Screen capture image courtesy of CBC News

CBC is a critically important Canadian institution, it should step up its game

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 30, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—During the COVID-19 pandemic the CBC recently shut down local 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. TV newscasts. CBC News executives have their

CBC is a critically important Canadian institution, it should step up its game

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 30, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—During the COVID-19 pandemic the CBC recently shut down local 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. TV newscasts. CBC News executives have their
CBC Parliament Hill reporter Catherine Cullen, pictured on March 26, 2020. To be successful, a brand needs to connect emotionally with its audiences so that they prefer it over the alternatives, even when the alternatives otherwise better suit their needs, writes Alex Marland. Screen capture image courtesy of CBC News

How do political parties get politicians to stay on message?

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—I’m a professor of political science, and I study how Canadian political parties try to both coordinate and control communication. How is
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 17, 2020
Independent Newfoundland and Labrador MHA Paul Lane, Independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, and former MPs Jane Philpott and Ryan Cleary, pictured on Feb. 6, 2020, at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Photograph courtesy of Alex Marland

How do political parties get politicians to stay on message?

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 17, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—I’m a professor of political science, and I study how Canadian political parties try to both coordinate and control communication. How is

How do political parties get politicians to stay on message?

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 17, 2020
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—I’m a professor of political science, and I study how Canadian political parties try to both coordinate and control communication. How is
Independent Newfoundland and Labrador MHA Paul Lane, Independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould, and former MPs Jane Philpott and Ryan Cleary, pictured on Feb. 6, 2020, at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. Photograph courtesy of Alex Marland

Inside the federal bureaucracy, Clarke digs up a ‘creeping culture of excessive silos, hierarchies’ in digital attitudes

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—What happens when the risk-averse organizational culture of the Government of Canada confronts the freewheeling style of digital culture? A purposeful slow
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 16, 2019
Canada's new Digital Minister Joyce Murray, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. What happens when the risk-averse organizational culture of the Government of Canada confronts the freewheeling style of digital culture? A purposeful slow reaction, finds a new book on the topic, writes Alex Marland. But make no mistake, digital government is a much bigger entity than it was even a few years ago. For evidence, one need look only at how the Government of Canada has upended where its advertising dollars go, with an unequivocal preference for digital. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Inside the federal bureaucracy, Clarke digs up a ‘creeping culture of excessive silos, hierarchies’ in digital attitudes

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 16, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—What happens when the risk-averse organizational culture of the Government of Canada confronts the freewheeling style of digital culture? A purposeful slow

Inside the federal bureaucracy, Clarke digs up a ‘creeping culture of excessive silos, hierarchies’ in digital attitudes

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 16, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—What happens when the risk-averse organizational culture of the Government of Canada confronts the freewheeling style of digital culture? A purposeful slow
Canada's new Digital Minister Joyce Murray, pictured at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa. What happens when the risk-averse organizational culture of the Government of Canada confronts the freewheeling style of digital culture? A purposeful slow reaction, finds a new book on the topic, writes Alex Marland. But make no mistake, digital government is a much bigger entity than it was even a few years ago. For evidence, one need look only at how the Government of Canada has upended where its advertising dollars go, with an unequivocal preference for digital. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

‘The New NDP’ chronicles rise of party under Layton, Mulcair in unparalleled detail

  • ST. JOHN’S—A new book about the New Democratic Party offers exceptional insights into the party’s evolution from an undisciplined ideological group to a political
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 2, 2019
The late Jack Layton led the NDP to a party-record 103 seats and official opposition status in June of 2011. He died of cancer in August of that year. The Hill Times file photograph

‘The New NDP’ chronicles rise of party under Layton, Mulcair in unparalleled detail

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 2, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S—A new book about the New Democratic Party offers exceptional insights into the party’s evolution from an undisciplined ideological group to a political

‘The New NDP’ chronicles rise of party under Layton, Mulcair in unparalleled detail

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 2, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S—A new book about the New Democratic Party offers exceptional insights into the party’s evolution from an undisciplined ideological group to a political
The late Jack Layton led the NDP to a party-record 103 seats and official opposition status in June of 2011. He died of cancer in August of that year. The Hill Times file photograph

Chrétien’s book entertaining, informative, worthwhile

  • ST. JOHN’S—Why do Canadian politicians write books? The motivation is presumably not financial. For those seeking higher office, an autobiography can be an image-shaping
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | April 29, 2019
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured April 12, 2016, in a Hill scrum. When a former prime minister shares insights, it is a tremendous gift to the rest of us, including for students decades from now. Information that challenges journalistic accounts or the versions of other actors is especially welcome. The Hill Times file photograph

Chrétien’s book entertaining, informative, worthwhile

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | April 29, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S—Why do Canadian politicians write books? The motivation is presumably not financial. For those seeking higher office, an autobiography can be an image-shaping

Chrétien’s book entertaining, informative, worthwhile

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | April 29, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S—Why do Canadian politicians write books? The motivation is presumably not financial. For those seeking higher office, an autobiography can be an image-shaping
Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, pictured April 12, 2016, in a Hill scrum. When a former prime minister shares insights, it is a tremendous gift to the rest of us, including for students decades from now. Information that challenges journalistic accounts or the versions of other actors is especially welcome. The Hill Times file photograph

On the House is informative and enduring

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—It has become a truism of Canadian politics that too much power is concentrated in a prime minister. There are many reasons
News | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 11, 2019
MPs pictured in the House on Dec. 12, 2018. Rob Walsh's book, On the House, is informative and enduring. It will be most appreciated by MPs and political staff who are interested in the nooks and crannies of how the House of Commons operates. Professors of Canadian politics might want to consider including it on their reading lists for graduate-level courses and recommending the book to their institution’s library, writes Alex Marland. Photograph courtesy of House of Commons

On the House is informative and enduring

News | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 11, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—It has become a truism of Canadian politics that too much power is concentrated in a prime minister. There are many reasons

On the House is informative and enduring

News | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 11, 2019
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—It has become a truism of Canadian politics that too much power is concentrated in a prime minister. There are many reasons
MPs pictured in the House on Dec. 12, 2018. Rob Walsh's book, On the House, is informative and enduring. It will be most appreciated by MPs and political staff who are interested in the nooks and crannies of how the House of Commons operates. Professors of Canadian politics might want to consider including it on their reading lists for graduate-level courses and recommending the book to their institution’s library, writes Alex Marland. Photograph courtesy of House of Commons

Lewis’ Power, Prime Ministers and the Press a must-read for Hill journalists

  • ST. JOHN’S—There is a lot of reflection on Parliament Hill these days as the buildings are vacated for restoration. Many of those memories and
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 17, 2018
Robert Lewis is a former Ottawa correspondent and retired editor-in-chief of Maclean’s magazine. His book is a collection of stories about the careers of formidable members of the gallery. The profiles are buttressed by observations about a selection of former prime ministers. It is a biographical storytelling journey that recognizes the human dimensions of political reporting. Photo handout

Lewis’ Power, Prime Ministers and the Press a must-read for Hill journalists

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 17, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S—There is a lot of reflection on Parliament Hill these days as the buildings are vacated for restoration. Many of those memories and

Lewis’ Power, Prime Ministers and the Press a must-read for Hill journalists

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | December 17, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S—There is a lot of reflection on Parliament Hill these days as the buildings are vacated for restoration. Many of those memories and
Robert Lewis is a former Ottawa correspondent and retired editor-in-chief of Maclean’s magazine. His book is a collection of stories about the careers of formidable members of the gallery. The profiles are buttressed by observations about a selection of former prime ministers. It is a biographical storytelling journey that recognizes the human dimensions of political reporting. Photo handout

Tips for election candidates in Canada

  • ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—With the next campaign fast approaching, here are some tips for anyone thinking of running for office, gleaned from Noah Richler’s The
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 17, 2018
Noah Richler, former NDP candidate and author of The Candidate: Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. Remember that roughly 90 per cent of the votes in your riding will be influenced by things beyond your control. The leader’s performance in the final weeks of the campaign is especially crucial, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Tips for election candidates in Canada

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 17, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—With the next campaign fast approaching, here are some tips for anyone thinking of running for office, gleaned from Noah Richler’s The

Tips for election candidates in Canada

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | September 17, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—With the next campaign fast approaching, here are some tips for anyone thinking of running for office, gleaned from Noah Richler’s The
Noah Richler, former NDP candidate and author of The Candidate: Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. Remember that roughly 90 per cent of the votes in your riding will be influenced by things beyond your control. The leader’s performance in the final weeks of the campaign is especially crucial, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Trimble’s ‘Ms. Prime Minister’ digs deep into media bias towards female PMs

  • There are many reasons why people enter, delay or avoid political life. Conservatives Rona Ambrose and Laureen Harper recently talked about the creation of
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | August 27, 2018
Former prime minister Kim Campbell successfully ran for the leadership of the then-governing Progressive Conservative Party in 1993. Ms. Campbell served as prime minister for five months after Brian Mulroney stepped down from the post following nine years in the office. The PCs were routed in the following election, losing all but two of their 169 seats, including Ms. Campbell's. The Hill Times file photograph

Trimble’s ‘Ms. Prime Minister’ digs deep into media bias towards female PMs

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | August 27, 2018
  • There are many reasons why people enter, delay or avoid political life. Conservatives Rona Ambrose and Laureen Harper recently talked about the creation of

Trimble’s ‘Ms. Prime Minister’ digs deep into media bias towards female PMs

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | August 27, 2018
  • There are many reasons why people enter, delay or avoid political life. Conservatives Rona Ambrose and Laureen Harper recently talked about the creation of
Former prime minister Kim Campbell successfully ran for the leadership of the then-governing Progressive Conservative Party in 1993. Ms. Campbell served as prime minister for five months after Brian Mulroney stepped down from the post following nine years in the office. The PCs were routed in the following election, losing all but two of their 169 seats, including Ms. Campbell's. The Hill Times file photograph

Brodie’s most poignant observation: time is the most precious resource in Ottawa

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The position of chief of staff to a prime minister or premier is among the most powerful roles in government. Chiefs of
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | June 25, 2018
Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper, and author of the recently-released the Centre of Government: The Prime Minister and the Limits on Political Power. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Brodie’s most poignant observation: time is the most precious resource in Ottawa

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | June 25, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The position of chief of staff to a prime minister or premier is among the most powerful roles in government. Chiefs of

Brodie’s most poignant observation: time is the most precious resource in Ottawa

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | June 25, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The position of chief of staff to a prime minister or premier is among the most powerful roles in government. Chiefs of
Ian Brodie, former chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper, and author of the recently-released the Centre of Government: The Prime Minister and the Limits on Political Power. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Fascinating new book looks at how MPs interact with constituents

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—What do Canadian Members of Parliament do in their electoral districts? This is among the many questions explored in a fascinating new
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 19, 2018
Liberal MPs Francesco Sorbara, Kyle Peterson, rear, Gudie Hutchings, and Wayne Easter. The Hill Times file photograph

Fascinating new book looks at how MPs interact with constituents

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 19, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—What do Canadian Members of Parliament do in their electoral districts? This is among the many questions explored in a fascinating new

Fascinating new book looks at how MPs interact with constituents

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | March 19, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—What do Canadian Members of Parliament do in their electoral districts? This is among the many questions explored in a fascinating new
Liberal MPs Francesco Sorbara, Kyle Peterson, rear, Gudie Hutchings, and Wayne Easter. The Hill Times file photograph

Former British Labour whip tells it like it is in How to be a Government Whip

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Winning, advancing an agenda, message coordination, protecting the brand—all of this is paramount for party strategists. In Canada, we see evidence of
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 26, 2018
Helen Jones reminds us that being a whip is a thankless task. Dying in office is the only way to get public adulation, but she doesn’t recommend it and suspects that after a token minute of silence the party would be thinking about filling the seat. Wry quips and wit make reading How to be a Government Whip a delight, writes Alex Marland. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

Former British Labour whip tells it like it is in How to be a Government Whip

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 26, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Winning, advancing an agenda, message coordination, protecting the brand—all of this is paramount for party strategists. In Canada, we see evidence of

Former British Labour whip tells it like it is in How to be a Government Whip

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | February 26, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Winning, advancing an agenda, message coordination, protecting the brand—all of this is paramount for party strategists. In Canada, we see evidence of
Helen Jones reminds us that being a whip is a thankless task. Dying in office is the only way to get public adulation, but she doesn’t recommend it and suspects that after a token minute of silence the party would be thinking about filling the seat. Wry quips and wit make reading How to be a Government Whip a delight, writes Alex Marland. Photograph courtesy of Wikipedia

What Scheer can learn from the Tory team’s rise from Reform to the Harper government

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The public conversation about Canadian politics has changed a lot since the Trudeau Liberals replaced the Harper Conservatives. Reasons extend beyond the
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | January 10, 2018
Author Alex Marland says the academics who wrote The Blueprint analyze Canadian conservatism with even-handedness. That’s no easy task, he says, given that academics were among many who had a visceral reaction to the politics of Stephen Harper, pictured. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

What Scheer can learn from the Tory team’s rise from Reform to the Harper government

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | January 10, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The public conversation about Canadian politics has changed a lot since the Trudeau Liberals replaced the Harper Conservatives. Reasons extend beyond the

What Scheer can learn from the Tory team’s rise from Reform to the Harper government

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | January 10, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—The public conversation about Canadian politics has changed a lot since the Trudeau Liberals replaced the Harper Conservatives. Reasons extend beyond the
Author Alex Marland says the academics who wrote The Blueprint analyze Canadian conservatism with even-handedness. That’s no easy task, he says, given that academics were among many who had a visceral reaction to the politics of Stephen Harper, pictured. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reforming Canada’s political institutions complicated by distortions, misunderstandings and interrelationships

  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Books about Canadian political life tend to be about whatever is trending. Constitutional schisms and protecting our culture against Americanization used to
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | January 8, 2018
Parliamentarians who read this book and grasp its core concepts will be in a better position to make sense of the smoke and mirrors that pervade life on the Hill, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Reforming Canada’s political institutions complicated by distortions, misunderstandings and interrelationships

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | January 8, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Books about Canadian political life tend to be about whatever is trending. Constitutional schisms and protecting our culture against Americanization used to

Reforming Canada’s political institutions complicated by distortions, misunderstandings and interrelationships

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | January 8, 2018
  • ST. JOHN’S, N.L.—Books about Canadian political life tend to be about whatever is trending. Constitutional schisms and protecting our culture against Americanization used to
Parliamentarians who read this book and grasp its core concepts will be in a better position to make sense of the smoke and mirrors that pervade life on the Hill, writes Alex Marland. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Yep, everything still revolves around the prime minister and the PMO

  • ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—Quick: does the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have too much power? How you answer might have a lot to do
Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | July 17, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Gay Pride Parade in Toronto. Ministers and Liberal MPs are so connected to the Trudeau brand that they have limited flexibility to develop their own public personas. I would go so far as to suggest that Pierre Trudeau’s quip that MPs are 'nobodies' once they leave Parliament Hill is increasingly applicable to ministers, too. Both are unfair comments and yet reflect the inescapable reality that everything revolves around the prime minister and the PMO. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Yep, everything still revolves around the prime minister and the PMO

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | July 17, 2017
  • ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—Quick: does the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have too much power? How you answer might have a lot to do

Yep, everything still revolves around the prime minister and the PMO

Opinion | BY ALEX MARLAND | July 17, 2017
  • ST. JOHN’S, NFLD.—Quick: does the Office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have too much power? How you answer might have a lot to do
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Gay Pride Parade in Toronto. Ministers and Liberal MPs are so connected to the Trudeau brand that they have limited flexibility to develop their own public personas. I would go so far as to suggest that Pierre Trudeau’s quip that MPs are 'nobodies' once they leave Parliament Hill is increasingly applicable to ministers, too. Both are unfair comments and yet reflect the inescapable reality that everything revolves around the prime minister and the PMO. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Parsing a brand-centric approach to power

  • We lack a focused study of how political communications work in Ottawa. We need a theory for why they create a contagion of pulling
Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | May 3, 2017
'To understand Canadian public sector elites’ communications behaviour in the 21st century is to understand branding,' writes Donner Prize finalist Alex Marland, an associate professor of political science at Memorial University in Newfoundland. Handout photograph

Parsing a brand-centric approach to power

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | May 3, 2017
  • We lack a focused study of how political communications work in Ottawa. We need a theory for why they create a contagion of pulling

Parsing a brand-centric approach to power

Feature | BY ALEX MARLAND | May 3, 2017
  • We lack a focused study of how political communications work in Ottawa. We need a theory for why they create a contagion of pulling
'To understand Canadian public sector elites’ communications behaviour in the 21st century is to understand branding,' writes Donner Prize finalist Alex Marland, an associate professor of political science at Memorial University in Newfoundland. Handout photograph
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