everything.study
PSCI 2003

Institutions and Power in Canadian Politics

0.5 credit · Undergraduate

An examination of Canadian political institutions, including federalism, Parliament, the constitution, political parties and the electoral system.

2026

Topics

  • “explainer” video, notes sheet, flashcard, or any other useful format)
  • that (a) defines the concept and its usage in Canadian politics (b)
  • references relevant course materials and (c) explains why it is significant
  • relevance of your explanation, quality of your study aid, clarity of your
  • presentation, and your group members’ assessment of your individual
  • contribution to the group’s overall success.
  • Because conceptual definitions are often domain-specific
  • Professor Erin Tolley Fall 2026
  • content to include in your study aid will help to improve your own
  • understanding of the concept and your ability to recall it on future
  • assessments.
  • Skills focus: research, study habits and test-taking, AI literacy, mutual
  • aid, content integration
  • Mid-term test In-class closed-book mid-term test covering the readings, tutorials, and

Readings

  • Andrew Coyne, “One person, one vote is a basic democratic principle. We should try it some time,” Globe and Mail (August 1, 2026) Samara Centre for Democracy, Group Chat Podcast, “The Notwithstanding Clause — Hero
  • 6 Institutions and Power in Canadian Politics Carleton University Professor Erin Tolley Fall 2026
  • CP-Chapter 16: The Canadian Constitution & Constitutional Change Collaborative Readings: Michael Adams and Andrew Parkin, “2025: The Year Canadians re-embraced
  • nationalism,” Globe and Mail (December 27, 2025) Nader R. Hasan, “The case to end all cases: How Bill 21 could wreck the Charter,” Globe and Mail (March 21, 2026)
  • CP-Chapter 17: The Federal System Collaborative Readings: Jesse Hartery, “Clarity over Ottawa’s spending power in areas of provincial authority could be coming,” Policy Options (June 29, 2023).
  • Jesse McCormick, “First Nations, federalism and lessons from the fight against COVID-19,” Policy Options (June 12, 2023).
  • Maxime St-Hilaire, Alexis Wawanoloath, Stéphanie Chouinard, and Marc-Antoine Gervais, “The false francophone-Indigenous conflict over SCC judges,” Policy Options (December 18,

Prerequisites & course information

Prerequisite(s): second-year standing. Lectures two hours a week, tutorials one hour a week.

Sources