Canadian Politics

A04(c) - Inside the Pink Palace I

Date: Jun 3 | Time: 01:45pm to 03:15pm | Location:

Chair/Président/Présidente : Peter P. Constantinou (OLIP Director)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Graham White (University of Toronto)

Blurred Borders: The Intersections of Provincial and International Affairs at Queen’s Park: Sayyidah Jaffer (Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP))
Abstract: While global affairs undoubtedly impact disparate communities, including diasporic and geographically distant locales, this paper seeks to examine the extent to which international affairs are addressed and acted on within provincial legislation in Ontario. Demonstrations on the lawn of Queen’s Park are indicators of public discontent with policy and policymakers, but their demands often transcend issues of provincial jurisdiction, crossing into the realm of foreign relations and geopolitics. As such, issues that are typically understood as falling within federal jurisdiction are not exempt from appearing in the realm of provincial politics. This paper analyzes the theoretical and material impact of international conflict on House proceedings and legislation at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, with a focus on the last three years, between 2021 and 2024. In particular, it asks how issues generally characterized as outside of provincial jurisdiction are dealt with at the epicentre of Ontario politics. This paper uses mixed qualitative methods to respond to a multifaceted question. First, the essay employs discursive analysis to examine Member’s Statements and Bills tabled at the Ontario Legislature that reference international affairs. Second, interviews will be conducted with backbencher Members of Provincial Parliament and Clerks, to better understand how they interact with international affairs in a provincial policy setting. Whether current affairs abroad trigger a simple acknowledgement in the House, or lead to Royal Assent of provincial legislation, this paper seeks to understand the varying degrees and motivations of Members when addressing international conflicts at Queen’s Park.

Balancing Security Concerns and Access to Democracy at Constituency Offices Across Ontario: Nika Lennox (Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP))
Abstract: As physical representations of Ontario’s political system conveniently located on ‘Main Street’, provincial constituency offices are often the first target of the public’s ire. With the recent rise in polarization and distrust in government, security concerns at constituency offices have grown more severe. High profile cases of vandalism and an increase in threats towards politicians have led many MPPs to heighten security measures at their local constituency office. Many of these security measures—such as locked door policies, and digital-only constituency meetings—have the secondary effect of acting as barriers to the public’s ability to access the unique services constituency offices provide. The hyper local role constituency offices play is core to the function of representative democracy, and the case work undertaken by staff often reaches some of the most underserved members of society. While the increase in constituency office security has been closely covered at the federal level, there is a gap in the literature regarding the manifestation of these trends in Ontario. Relying on interviews with staff and a comprehensive overview of policy changes, this paper will explore the democratic implications of increased security measures at constituency offices across Ontario.

Honourable Speaker, On a Point of Privilege: Queen’s Park Perspectives on Modern Challenges of Parliamentary Privilege.: Megan Ryan-Lloyd (Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP))
Abstract: Parliamentary privilege encompasses special rights, powers and immunities deemed necessary to protect legislative institutions and their Members so they can effectively carry out their parliamentary functions of debating and legislating. Some Parliaments have opted to codify their privileges to assert and alleviate uncertainty inherent in recognizing and exercising parliamentary privilege. The potential benefits and drawbacks of doing so are discussed in many modern contexts. The Legislative Assembly of Ontario stands out for its unique approach to formally codifying certain privileges within its Legislative Assembly Act. However, given the fundamental necessity for legislative institutions and their Members to rely upon parliamentary privilege, should there be changes to assert further, clarify or modernize how the Legislative Assembly of Ontario outlines these privileges? This paper will rely upon Ontario MPPs' understanding of parliamentary privilege to highlight the application of parliamentary privilege

Part-Time Diplomats? The Role of Backbench MPPs Representing Border Ridings in International Affairs with the United States: Alex Salton (Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP))
Abstract: Thirteen provincial ridings in Ontario share a land or river border with Canada's powerful southern neighbor, the United States of America. Indeed, the southern tip of the province protrudes into the American Midwest creating a long border facilitating trade, migration, and a set of shared political and environmental issues. While the Canadian federal government is primarily responsible for conducting diplomacy with foreign powers and representing Canada abroad, the provinces have become increasingly involved in international relations. Existing literature, for example, has examined the role of provincial governments in negotiating the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union. Considering the federal and provincial governments both handle international affairs, this paper asks what the role is of backbench Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) in negotiating agreements, building cross-border infrastructure projects, and addressing other U.S-Canada issues. Backbench MPPs do not have official portfolios or responsibilities in dealings with the U.S., but the importance of border issues in their ridings and their position as representatives mean that they could have de facto roles in cross-border relations. The extent of their involvement—and what it might add to discussions about Canadian federalism and parliamentary representation—has not been thoroughly explored in the literature. Semi-structured interviews with MPPs in border ridings will be used to illuminate how they navigate the political landscape between the federal and provincial government, U.S. officials, transnational corporations, and other organizations to represent their constituents.

Minority Rule: Politics in Visible Minority Majority Ridings: James Liao (Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP))
Abstract: Immigrants constitute the largest share of the Canadian population in over 150 years at 23% and one million new Canadian citizens will be eligible to participate in the 2025 elections compared to 2021. Given the high levels of immigration and citizenship among visible minority communities, the number of ridings where visible minority groups form the majority of the electorate has increased from one in six ridings in the 2021 federal elections to one in five in 2025. This recent development has garnered much attention from political parties who have a vested interest in winning over these visible minority communities if they want to form government. Existing literature has shown that in some such ridings, political issues of interest to the voters may include diplomatic relations between Canada and the home country or even distant matters specific to the homeland. In other cases, while domestic policy may remain prominent, the understanding of a particular issue may be highly influenced by cultural differences which may create a policy solution space markedly different from the mainstream comprehension of the same problem. Considering these unique characteristics of these ridings, MPPs must adopt a different way of delivering their political message tailored to these visible minority groups. This paper aims to investigate how MPPs from these visible minority majority ridings differ in their approach to political messaging in comparison to their counterparts from other ridings. Through semi-structured interviews, this study offers insights into how MPPs represent the diverse demographics that make up modern Canada.