Constitutional convention

What Canada can learn from Ireland on citizen engagement to bolster democracy

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
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Perhaps most worrying, however, is the consistent trend that shows citizens are increasingly disillusioned with their democratic institutions.

Key Points: 
  • Perhaps most worrying, however, is the consistent trend that shows citizens are increasingly disillusioned with their democratic institutions.
  • In the search for inspiration for methods of re-engaging citizens, Canada might look to Ireland.

Irish inspiration

  • Citizens’ assemblies are a form of what are known as “deliberative mini-publics,” representative samples of ordinary citizens who deliberate together and make proposals for reform.
  • In other words, the legitimacy of the minipopulus’s views would derive from the legitimacy of democracy itself.
  • In each case, the assembly’s recommendations were put to referendum, but in neither case did the referendum pass.

Irish abortion laws

  • In 2016, the Irish government established the first citizens’ assembly composed entirely of randomly selected citizens.
  • Abortion was an explosive issue in Ireland since the controversial insertion of a 1983 amendment to the country’s constitution that effectively banned abortion in most circumstances.
  • Nonetheless, the assembly ultimately recommended a radical liberalization of the law to allow for abortion without restriction for the first time in Irish history.

Not a silver bullet

  • Indeed, the Irish Citizens’ Assembly has produced recommendations on other topics that have not achieved the same — or any — uptake.
  • But since 2016, citizens’ assemblies have started to become part of the architecture of constitutional and policy change in Ireland.
  • Citizens’ assemblies are not a silver bullet — their impact depends on the appetite of politicians to implement their recommendations and many other factors.

Canadian opportunities

  • The Irish experience has shown that citizens are capable not only of deliberating on broad constitutional issues, but technical legislative matters too.
  • What’s more, citizens’ assemblies can serve a particularly important role when elected representatives have a vested interest.
  • Canada has so far avoided the more extreme attacks on democracy witnessed by its nearest neighbour, the United States.


Seána Glennon does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

How religion and politics will mix in 2024 – three trends to track

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
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Religion is likely to play a big role in voters’ choices in the 2024 presidential election – much as it did in previous years.

Key Points: 
  • Religion is likely to play a big role in voters’ choices in the 2024 presidential election – much as it did in previous years.
  • Despite an overall shift away from participation in organized religion in the U.S. populace, religious rhetoric in the political arena has intensified.
  • In the 2016 race, evangelical voters contributed, in part, to Republican nominee Donald Trump’s victory.
  • Historical evidence can help identify trends that will likely influence the mix of religion and politics in the year ahead.

1. End-times rhetoric

  • End-times rhetoric has long played a prominent role in American politics.
  • Ever since Puritan John Winthrop first called America a “city on the hill” – meaning a shining example for the world to follow – the threat of losing that divinely appointed status has consistently been employed by presidential candidates.
  • John F. Kennedy employed that exact image of the “city on the hill” in a 1961 speech on the cusp of his inauguration, claiming that – with “God’s help” – valor, integrity, dedication and wisdom would define his administration.
  • By March 2023, at the annual gathering of the Conservative Political Action Conference, he predicted that “if they [Democrats] win, we no longer have a country.” Biden has likewise drawn on the image of final battles.
  • In a speech at Philadelphia’s Independence Hall on Sept. 1, 2022, he said that he and his supporters are in “a battle for the soul of this nation.”

2. Divine mandate

  • Since the establishment of the republic, many U.S. political leaders have claimed a divine mandate.
  • Scholars have long documented how those in power employ claims of divine authority to legitimize their role in a host of different countries.
  • Recently, some U.S. politicians and public commentators have shifted to claiming divine authority for anti-democratic actions.
  • Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 election, the switch from historical claims of divine authority for democracy to divine authority to challenge democracy is already obvious and apparent.

3. White supremacy and Christian nationalism

  • Likewise, the unapologetically white supremacist “alt-right movement” that coalesced in 2010 around the philosophies of biological racism and the belief in the superiority of white peoples around the world have likewise mixed overt white supremacy with religious doctrines.
  • This close connection between religious claims and white supremacy among overtly racist organizations has shown up in mainline political arenas as well.
  • Evangelical leaders have consistently failed to condemn or disassociate themselves from leaders with overt white supremacy connections.
  • In spring of 2023, 26 members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee refused to sign a letter denouncing white supremacy.


Tobin Miller Shearer does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

FOR CONSTITUTION DAY: ICIVICS AND GEORGE WASHINGTON'S MOUNT VERNON LAUNCH FREE ONLINE GAME ABOUT CIVILITY AND COMPROMISE AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 7, 2023
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MOUNT VERNON, Va., Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This Constitution Day, iCivics and George Washington's Mount Vernon will release Constitutional Compromise, a new online game that takes students through the major issues - and key compromises - that shaped our nation's governing charter, the United States Constitution.

Key Points: 
  • MOUNT VERNON, Va., Sept. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This Constitution Day, iCivics and George Washington's Mount Vernon will release Constitutional Compromise , a new online game that takes students through the major issues - and key compromises - that shaped our nation's governing charter, the United States Constitution.
  • New, free online game takes students through the major issues - and key compromises - that shaped the Constitution.
  • By 2026, the game will move into a new permanent exhibit on George Washington at Mount Vernon.
  • "Mount Vernon is delighted to have the perfect partner in iCivics as we worked together to create Constitutional Compromise."

CLC: Fighting for Workers’ Rights: Canada’s Unions Lift Everyone Up

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 12, 2023
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The 30th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress called for changes to labour laws to make it easier for workers to unionize.

Key Points: 
  • The 30th Constitutional Convention of the Canadian Labour Congress called for changes to labour laws to make it easier for workers to unionize.
  • They also passed resolutions combatting homophobia and transphobia, in support of reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and to tackle systemic racism.
  • “We are honoured to continue serving Canada’s workers and to build on the work of the past two years,” said Bruske.
  • “A major theme of this year's event focused on how unions can lift everyone up.

Chile Takes Further Steps Towards Constitutional Reform

Retrieved on: 
Friday, May 12, 2023
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Lithium Power International Limited (ASX: LPI) (“LPI” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the recent vote in Chile over the weekend on the Chilean Constitution reform.

Key Points: 
  • Lithium Power International Limited (ASX: LPI) (“LPI” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the recent vote in Chile over the weekend on the Chilean Constitution reform.
  • Following Chile’s national plebiscite on 4 September 2022, when a proposed constitution drafted by the Constitutional Convention was rejected by a 62-38 margin, lawmakers announced a new agreement in December 2022.
  • The Republican Party, which is mostly comprised of conservative, right-wing members, has now become the leading political force in Chile.
  • It will eliminate uncertainties created by the previous constitutional process and provide confidence in the long term on Chile’s political stability and quality of its institutions.

ITVS Veteran Tamara Gould Named Chief Content Officer For Public Media Group of Southern California, Parent Organization of PBS SoCal, KCET and Link TV

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
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LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Public Media Group of Southern California (PMGSC), the parent company of PBS SoCal, KCET and Link TV, today named Tamara Gould as Chief Content Officer (CCO) reporting directly to President/CEO Andrew Russell. In this role, Gould will lead a dynamic, creative and nationally recognized team of content producers across multiple platforms to amplify the voices and stories of the extraordinary communities within and beyond Southern California. She will serve as the strategic leader and visionary in the development, production and distribution of the organization's linear and digital content that includes existing award-winning, locally-produced series ARTBOUND, LOST LA, and EARTH FOCUS, as well as educational productions like FAMILY MATH.

Key Points: 
  • Gould Brings Experience as Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Media Executive and Strategic Partnership Builder to Southern California's Flagship PBS Stations
    LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Public Media Group of Southern California (PMGSC), the parent company of PBS SoCal, KCET and Link TV, today named Tamara Gould as Chief Content Officer (CCO) reporting directly to President/CEO Andrew Russell.
  • "Tamara Gould is an extraordinary talent and she brings a wealth of production experience and deep ties to public media.
  • Tamara Gould has held numerous positions at ITVS during her 18-year tenure, including most recently Head of Co-Productions and Strategic Partnerships.
  • "I am thrilled to be joining the Public Media Group of Southern California, a tremendous hub of talent and creativity producing critical content for the Southern California community and beyond," said Gould.

Unifor unveils 29 recommendations to boost Canada's auto sector

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 11, 2022
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The comprehensive policy document, entitled "Navigating the road ahead rebuilding Canada's powerhouse auto sector" is available on Unifor's new website www.uniforautohub.ca .

Key Points: 
  • The comprehensive policy document, entitled "Navigating the road ahead rebuilding Canada's powerhouse auto sector" is available on Unifor's new website www.uniforautohub.ca .
  • The document is the product of months of work by production and skilled trades members in auto assembly and auto parts manufacturing.
  • "Adopting these recommendations is the best path forward for all levels of government to create the conditions for a strong, resilient and forward-looking auto industry that supports autoworkers," said Payne.
  • Unifor's 29 recommendations are aimed at growing the domestic auto and auto parts industries, managing the transition to a net zero carbon economy, enhancing skills capacity, creating high quality, unionized jobs and advancing equity and inclusion throughout auto workplaces and related communities.

Lana Payne elected Unifor National President

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
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TORONTO, Aug. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - Lana Payne has been elected as the new National President of Unifor, the first woman to hold the position.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Aug. 10, 2022 /CNW/ - Lana Payne has been elected as the new National President of Unifor, the first woman to hold the position.
  • Payne was previously National Secretary-Treasurer of Unifor, and was the first woman to hold that position, as well.
  • She defeated Executive Assistant to the President Scott Doherty and Unifor Local 444 President Dave Cassidy.
  • Payne led the union's efforts to recover from the turmoil that followed an investigation into a constitutional breach by former Unifor National President Jerry Dias, who retired in March.