Professor, Canadian politics | Jarislowsky Chair in Trust & Political Leadership, Acadia University. New book "No I in Team" out. https://partyloyalty.cahttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mxf7d5p3y22fSo very sorry to hear the sad news about Stephen Jarislowsky. He had one of the sharpest minds I’ve ever encountered, coupled with an unwavering commitment to making Canada a better place. My thoughts are with his family. Canada has lost a true giant. https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/public-statement-from-the-family-of-stephen-a-jarislowsky-865019186.html08 Oct 2026 19:34 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mxf7d5p3y22fhttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3muwzjeiabk2n@hilltimes.com: A BC Conservative electoral district assn is proposing a loyalty agreement between the party’s riding associations and candidates, requiring future MPs to promise to repay campaign expenses if they cross the floor or choose to sit as an Independent. https://www.hilltimes.com/2026/09/07/a-b-c-conservative-riding-association-proposes-a-loyalty-agreement-to-require-floor-crossing-mps-repay-campaign-costs/516857/07 Sep 2026 17:22 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3muwzjeiabk2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mpchveji7c2aJust listened to The House while cooking burgers on the BBQ. Charlie Feldman deserves his own show! Lots to learn about Parliament, in a fun way. Infotainment at its best. 👍🏻 [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Jun 2026 22:08 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpchveji7c2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mkxcofswo22yWhen people raise concerns about the decline of local journalism in Canada and ask about the future of news, I often note that an increasing share of Canadians are getting their news about Canada from The New York Times.03 May 2026 13:54 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkxcofswo22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mkihfsvw6c2uIt's a real pity that the Carney government has chosen to brand the sovereign wealth fund as the Canada Strong Fund. Sometimes coordinating campaign messaging with government policy goes too far. This is one of those times. [contains quote post or other embedded content]27 Apr 2026 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkihfsvw6c2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mjcw5h3qos2eCanadian party leaders often proclaim that diversity of opinions and views in their caucus is a strength, yet in practice expect parliamentarians to maintain message discipline and toe the party line. 🎓 [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Apr 2026 17:52 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjcw5h3qos2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mitptbmi3c2wNational Post: How the NDP's equity cards turned the convention into a circus https://nationalpost.com/opinion/amy-hamm-how-ndps-equity-cards-turned-the-convention-into-a-circus06 Apr 2026 16:49 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mitptbmi3c2whttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mhvqlor5oc23Throughout Canadian history, it is not unusual for legislators to switch parties in order to become its first or sole member in the legislature. Only when multiple members join does such a shift signal a potential electoral breakthrough. See partyloyalty.ca https://nationalnewswatch.com/2026/03/25/quebec-conservatives-nab-their-only-legislature-seat-with-ex-caq-member-joining-party25 Mar 2026 18:43 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvqlor5oc23https://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mhsykrx7ak2lCBC News: MPs recommend that the government make it a violation of the Canada Elections Act to sign more than one candidate nomination form and to make it explicit on the forms that a person can only sign for one candidate. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/long-ballot-protest-mp-committee-9.714000524 Mar 2026 16:27 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsykrx7ak2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mgdjdzmofk2sMany Canadians oppose floor crossing & support a mandatory by-election. But that would empower party leaders. Next time maybe IpsosCanada will ask about requiring an MP to sit as an Independent for 30 days to consult constituents. https://globalnews.ca/news/11716139/ipsos-poll-mp-floor-crossing/05 Mar 2026 19:20 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdjdzmofk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/alexmarland.bsky.social/post/3mf5gnecx422uRules should be changed to require MPs to sit as an Independent for 30 days before being allowed to join another party's caucus. A cooling off period would encourage consultation with constituents, soften partisan vitriol, limit inducements & reduce public cynicism. [contains quote post or other embedded content]18 Feb 2026 15:50 +0000at://did:plc:kno6aefetimsvoteodehfr24/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf5gnecx422u