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#1 Constitutional Conventions: The Rules We Follow, But Never Wrote Down
Did you know that the role of Prime Minister isn’t even mentioned in Canada’s Constitution? Or that the Governor General technically has the power to refuse laws passed by Parliament? These aren’t written rules—they’re constitutional conventions.
In this episode of The Curiosity Journey, we explore what a constitution is, how Canada’s system differs from the United States, and why so much of our government operates on unwritten rules. We’ll break down what conventions are, how they shape Canadian governance, and whether they should be officially written into law.
🎙️Topics Covered:
✅ What is a constitution?
✅ How Canada’s system differs from the U.S.
✅ The role of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and Governor General—by convention, not law
✅ Why conventions exist and whether they should be codified
💬What do you think? Should constitutional conventions be written down or left as they are? Message me on Instagram[@thecuriosityjourney] with your thoughts!
🔔 Follow The Curiosity Journey on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes content!
#StayCurious 🚀
FURTHER READING
Constitution Act, 1867 (UK), 30 & 31 Vict, c 3.
Reference re Resolution to Amend the Constitution, [1981] 1 SCR 753.
Andrew Heard, “Constitutional Conventions and Written Constitutions: The Rule of Law Implications in Canada” (2015) 38:2 Dublin U LJ 331.
Emmett Macfarlane, “The Place of Constitutional Conventions in the Constitutional Architecture, and in the Courts” (2022) 55 Can J Pol Sci 322.
Garrett Barden, “Law and Constitutional Conventions” (2015) 38:2 Dublin U LJ 419.
Kenneth Kernaghan, “Integrating Values into Public Service: The Values Statement as Centerpiece” (2003) 63:6 Pub Admin Rev 711.
Kenneth Kernaghan, “Power, Parliament and Public Servants in Canada: Ministerial Responsibility Reexamined” (1979) 5:3 Can Pub Pol 383.
Malcolm Rowe & Nicolas Deplanche, “Canada’s Unwritten Constitutional Order: Conventions and Structural Analysis” (2020) 98:3 Can Bar Rev 430.
MUSIC
"Backbay Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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By The Curiosity JourneyDid you know that the role of Prime Minister isn’t even mentioned in Canada’s Constitution? Or that the Governor General technically has the power to refuse laws passed by Parliament? These aren’t written rules—they’re constitutional conventions.
In this episode of The Curiosity Journey, we explore what a constitution is, how Canada’s system differs from the United States, and why so much of our government operates on unwritten rules. We’ll break down what conventions are, how they shape Canadian governance, and whether they should be officially written into law.
🎙️Topics Covered:
✅ What is a constitution?
✅ How Canada’s system differs from the U.S.
✅ The role of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and Governor General—by convention, not law
✅ Why conventions exist and whether they should be codified
💬What do you think? Should constitutional conventions be written down or left as they are? Message me on Instagram[@thecuriosityjourney] with your thoughts!
🔔 Follow The Curiosity Journey on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes content!
#StayCurious 🚀
FURTHER READING
Constitution Act, 1867 (UK), 30 & 31 Vict, c 3.
Reference re Resolution to Amend the Constitution, [1981] 1 SCR 753.
Andrew Heard, “Constitutional Conventions and Written Constitutions: The Rule of Law Implications in Canada” (2015) 38:2 Dublin U LJ 331.
Emmett Macfarlane, “The Place of Constitutional Conventions in the Constitutional Architecture, and in the Courts” (2022) 55 Can J Pol Sci 322.
Garrett Barden, “Law and Constitutional Conventions” (2015) 38:2 Dublin U LJ 419.
Kenneth Kernaghan, “Integrating Values into Public Service: The Values Statement as Centerpiece” (2003) 63:6 Pub Admin Rev 711.
Kenneth Kernaghan, “Power, Parliament and Public Servants in Canada: Ministerial Responsibility Reexamined” (1979) 5:3 Can Pub Pol 383.
Malcolm Rowe & Nicolas Deplanche, “Canada’s Unwritten Constitutional Order: Conventions and Structural Analysis” (2020) 98:3 Can Bar Rev 430.
MUSIC
"Backbay Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/