Anatomy of an Election: Canada's Federal General Election of 2019 Through the Lens of Political Law

Featured on The Hill Times' 100 Best Books in 2020 list Elections are the high point of democracy. They provide scheduled opportunities for the people at large to have a participatory voice in their own government. They enable adult citizens to judge those who have governed them recently, to select those whom they want to govern them in the near future, and to give renewed direction to their own country. Contrary to impressions generated by the media, it is a reality of democracy that elections are neither solely political events nor personality contests. In fact, elections are the ultimate blend of constitutionalism, politics, public law, and public policy. Anatomy of an Election takes a comprehensive and interdisciplinary look at Canada's 2019 federal election as an example of a democratic election. This book is unique in its explanation of elections and electioneering. It sets the scene by enumerating the foundational elements of Canada's electoral system, focusing on the constitutional principles, the legislation, and the major court judgments. It then traces the flow of political legal events since 2015 that have led to the forty-third general election. Most importantly, this text provides a day-by-day diary that records the most important political and legal events throughout the campaign. Anatomy of an Election does not favour any party or candidate and is designed to inform Canadian citizens about the electoral process and its fundamental importance in the public life of the country.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgements Preface: The Canadian Electoral System in a Capsule Part One: The 42nd Parliament as Prelude Chapter 1: The Place of an Election in the Comprehensive Political Law Cycle Chapter 2: Election-Related Promises Made in the 2015 Campaign by the Liberal Party, the Winner in the Election Chapter 3: Mandate of the Minister Dealing with Elections and Election Law Chapter 4: The Governing Program Set Out in the Speech from the Throne of December 4, 2015, as It Relates to Elections and Parliament Chapter 5: By-Elections Conducted During the 42nd Parliament Chapter 6: Issues of General Interest in the Electoral Sphere, as Expressed in Legislation and Legislative Proposals of P-42 Chapter 7: Work of the House of Commons Electoral Reform Committee During P-42 Chapter 8: Work of the House of Commons Procedure and House Affairs Committee Dealing with Election Matters During P-42 Chapter 9: Work of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee During P-42 Chapter 10: Extrinsic Influences on the 43rd Federal General Election Chapter 11: Mechanism of Coordination Between the Election Administration and the House of Commons Part Two: The Campaign for the 43rd Federal General Election Chapter 12: Diary of Matters of Interest for the 42nd Parliament Chapter 13: Election Diary of the Pre election Period Chapter 14: Election Diary from Dissolution to Nomination Day Chapter 15: Election Diary from Nomination Day to Election Eve Part Three: The 43rd Federal General Election Chapter 16: Election Diary of Polling Day Part Four: Election Results Chapter 17: Election Diary of Vote Tabulation, Validation, Media Calls, Victory, and Concession, Immediate Aftermath Chapter 18: International Observation of the 43rd Federal General Election Chapter 19: Judicial Recount Chapter 20: Election Contestation Chapter 21: Filing of Returns Chapter 22: Prosecution of Electoral Offences Chapter 23: Follow-Up to the Election Chapter 24: Reports by the Chief Electoral Officer and the Commissioner of Canada Elections Part Five: Introduction to the 43rd Parliament of Canada Chapter 25: Formation of the Next Government of Canada Chapter 26: The 43rd Parliament: Establishment, Opening, and Legislative Program Postscript: Lessons Learned Appendices: The Political Law Bedrock of Democratic Electioneering Appendix 1: Fundamental Principles as Evidenced by Constitutional Text, Statutory Provisions, and Conventions Appendix 2: Fundamental Constitutional Texts, Statutes, and Subordinate Instruments Appendix 3: Fundamental Jurisprudence Appendix 4: Principal Public Officials Involved in the Electoral System Bibliography Detailed Table of Contents Index About the Author