Jim Kelly
LightNews LightNews
banner
james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly
@james-kelly.bsky.social
290 followers 330 following 23 posts

Professor of Political Science, Concordia University. Donner Prize Finalist 2005, 2024. Judicial politics. Cyclist of the Lachine Canal. Retired QB. Belfast born 🇮🇪 @JamesB_Kelly https://www.ubcpress.ca/james-b-kelly

Videos
Political science 21%
History 17%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Jim Kelly

doubleaspect.blog
Leonid Sirota @doubleaspect.blog · 23h
New post: further notwithstanding clause mythbusting, to follow-up on my op-ed in the National Post last week.
Notwithstanding Myths
The case for the notwithstanding clause rests on misunderstanding or misdirection.
doubleaspect.blog

Reposted by Jim Kelly

forwardcanada.bsky.social
Forward Canada @forwardcanada.bsky.social · 3d
David King sat at the Alberta cabinet table as the Minister of Education when the Notwithstanding Clause was discussed as part of the 1982 Constitution patriation project.

He confirms it was never meant to be used the way it's being used by Smith's government now.
calgaryherald.com/opinion/colu...
Opinion: Notwithstanding clause never meant to be used to benefit the government
Dave King was was there when clause was born in Alberta cabinet. It was never meant to be used for the benefit of the government itself.
calgaryherald.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly

jaredwesley.ca
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 6d
D'Entremont's comments are typical of floor crossers: nodding to personal conviction, constituents' interests, and the common good.

The next few hours will be a struggle between the Liberals and Conservatives to control the narrative.

Learn more in our latest book: partyloyalty.ca.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

partyloyalty.bsky.social
No I in Team: The Book @partyloyalty.bsky.social · 9d
Join us and Tom Mulcair in Montreal to launch our book!

Reposted by Jim Kelly

uoftpress.bsky.social
University of Toronto Press @uoftpress.bsky.social · 10d
“This book is essential reading for anyone interested in loyalty, dissent, and betrayal in political parties and legislative politics.” Rob Currie-Wood, @mountroyalu.bsky.social

Learn more: bit.ly/43FUlFX

@alexmarland.bsky.social @jaredwesley.ca @mireillelalancette.bsky.social
#PoliSci

Reposted by Jim Kelly

paulfscott.bsky.social
Paul F Scott @paulfscott.bsky.social · 11d
'The king is sending royal warrants to the lord chancellor to secure the removal of the dukedom from the peerage roll, and the title of prince and style of Royal Highness.' www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Prince Andrew to be stripped of titles and move out of Royal Lodge
King’s brother will become known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Buckingham Palace says, in latest fallout from Epstein scandal
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly, W. Andy Knight

lukaszukab.bsky.social
Hon. Thomas A. Lukaszuk @lukaszukab.bsky.social · 13d
Today, I submitted 456,365 Albertans’ signatures to Elections Alberta, petitioning the Premier to do the right thing, avoid a divisive and economically harmful referendum, and allow MLAs to vote and reaffirm that Alberta’s future is in Canada.🇨🇦

Alberta is #ForeverCanadian

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Lindsay M. Tedds

jaredwesley.ca
Jared Wesley @jaredwesley.ca · 14d
"Bill 2 is perfectly legal."

"The kids need to go back to class."

I agree.

That doesn't mean the premier should've done an endrun around the legislature and the courts.

If the back-to-work law was defensible, why didn't she defend it before leaving the country?

open.substack.com/pub/drjaredw...
Alberta Strong and Free, Notwithstanding
The UCP's Bill 2 skirts the legislature and the courts, leaving it up to the public to push back swiftly
open.substack.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly

jackliddall16.bsky.social
Jack Liddall @jackliddall16.bsky.social · 22d
📘 Delighted that my first peer-reviewed article has been published @bjpir.bsky.social

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧 It explores the accountability of intergovernmental policymaking between Scotland, Wales and UK.

🔓 Open access: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

🙏 Thanks @psa-parliaments.bsky.social for all the support!

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Laurent Pech, Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche , and 2 more

icon-s.bsky.social
ICON•S @icon-s.bsky.social · 28d
📢The 2026 ICON•S Annual Conference Call for Submissions is out!

Join us in #Dublin from June 29 – July 1, 2026!

Read the 🧵for details ⬇️

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Steve Peers

publiclaw.bsky.social
Public Law @publiclaw.bsky.social · 29d
In memory of Conor Gearty, Public Law's 2007 symposium on his Hamlyn Lectures, "Can Human Rights Survive?" is available to read here: www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/content/dam/...
www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Lawrence B. Solum, Jacob T. Levy

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · Oct 3
New from RGCS alum Erin Crandall (PhD '13), Associate Professor of Politics at Acadia, and coauthors Andrea Lawlor and Shauna Hughey, in the Canadian Journal of Political Science

"Negative Spotlight: Event-Driven Effects on Support for the Canadian Supreme Court"

doi.org/10.1017/S000...
Abstract Longstanding public support for the Supreme Court of Canada is well-documented and contributes to its public legitimacy. However, the sources of this support and how vulnerable it may be to political factors or negative coverage of events are not well understood. In February of 2023, Justice Russell Brown took a leave of absence from the Supreme Court following a conduct complaint under review by the Canadian Judicial Council. Justice Brown retired from the bench in June of that year, before the CJC concluded its investigation. In the intervening period, media coverage of the events that prompted the attention from the CJC thrust the Court into the spotlight. Using data from an original two-wave survey experiment (n = 1,222) from May and November of 2023, we investigate whether perspectives toward the circumstances surrounding Brown’s retirement hurt perceptions of the Court’s legitimacy. We find that the event did not disrupt support for the Court over time but also point to the ways in which opinion toward the Court changed pre- and post-resignation. These findings suggest that support toward Canada’s high court is at present largely stable even in the case of negative coverage of a high-profile event. However, we also acknowledge the potential vulnerabilities that negative coverage of the Court may present.

Reposted by Simon Hix, Sara B. Hobolt, Jim Kelly , and 2 more

epssnet.bsky.social
EPSS @epssnet.bsky.social · Sep 23
📢 Call for Papers for EPSS 2026 conference in Belfast is out: epssnet.org/belfast-2026...

We'll feature two sections each Tuesday & Thursday to provide more information about the conference.

🔝 This Tuesday: Party Politics & Historical Political Economy
Call for Papers | EPSS Belfast 2026 Conference
Submit your abstract or full paper for EPSS Belfast 2026. Share cutting‑edge political science research, network with peers & contribute to academic impact.
epssnet.org

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Patrick O’Brien, Michael Veale , and 3 more

colinmurray.bsky.social
Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · Sep 12
A lovely tribute from Áras an Uachtaráin to mark Professor Conor Gearty's passing:

president.ie/en/media-lib...

Reposted by Jim Kelly

rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social
Research Group on Constitutional Studies, McGill University @rgcs-mcgill.bsky.social · Sep 12
New book w chapters coauthored by RGCS alums Erin Crandall (PhD '13), (Acadia), and Kate Puddister (PhD '11), (Guelph).

Emmett Macfarlane @emmettmacfarlane.com , ed., Rights and Parliamentary Systems in Canada and Beyond, University of Toronto Press, 2025.

utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Eoin Daly

tjmcintyre.com
TJ McIntyre @tjmcintyre.com · Sep 12
Very sad to hear of the untimely death of Conor Gearty, a lovely individual, one of our finest legal academics, and a central figure in promoting human rights worldwide.

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Steven Pressman

aphclarkson.bsky.social
Alexander Clarkson @aphclarkson.bsky.social · Apr 9
The only dollar you can rely on

Reposted by Jim Kelly

seinfeldism.bsky.social
Seinfeldism @seinfeldism.bsky.social · Jun 14
In a classic *Seinfeld* episode, George gets called out for double dipping a chip at a funeral, when “Timmy” tells him it’s as bad as “putting your whole mouth into the dip.” But is it really that bad?

Reposted by Jim Kelly

theatlantic.com
The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · Jun 9
“Be warned: Trump is expecting resistance. You will not be heroes. You will be the pretext,” writes @radiofreetom.bsky.social: https://theatln.tc/ENIOetrF

Reposted by Jim Kelly

tommasopavone.bsky.social
Tommaso Pavone @tommasopavone.bsky.social · Jun 9
𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 w/ @chrishillion.bsky.social & @ascherz.bsky.social! How can governments restore liberal democracy after a period of democratic erosion? We theorize "democratic frontsliding" & how obstructions to frontsliding can be overcome, using Poland/the EU as a case: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 20
www.theglobeandmail.com/world/articl...
Protests erupt as New Zealand moves to suspend MPs who performed haka in parliament
Lawmakers face suspension after they protested controversial bill seeking to redefine the treaty that governs relations between New Zealand and its Indigenous population
www.theglobeandmail.com

Reposted by Jim Kelly

ubcpress.bsky.social
UBC Press @ubcpress.bsky.social · May 16
More congrats! "Constraining the Court: Judicial Power and Policy Implementation in the Charter Era" by @james-kelly.bsky.social has been shortlisted for the 2025 W. Wesley Pue Book Prize, awarded by the Canadian Law and Society Association.

📘 About the book: www.ubcpress.ca/constraining...
Cover: Constraining the Court: Judicial Power and Policy Implementation in the Charter Era, by James B. Kelly. Photo: a statue in profile, holding a sword in its crossed arms. Only the hilt is visible; the rest is hidden by the statue’s cloak. Past it, a clock tower is visible. It is snowing. Beside the cover, text congratulates the author James B. Kelly for being shortlisted for the 2025 W. Wesley Pue Book Prize.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

cpsa-acsp.bsky.social
🇨🇦 CPSA ACSP 🇨🇦 @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social · May 15
Let's gather #CPSA_ACSP25 @gbcollege.bsky.social
WHICH CAMPUS?
"St James A" 200 King St.E
"St James B&C" 290&300 Adelaide St.E
georgebrown.ca/about/campus...
Get yr BADGE "St James A" OR Waterfront federationhss.ca/en/congress/...
Shuttle St J.-Waterfront every 20'
@isaluciecote.bsky.social

Reposted by Jim Kelly, Rory O’Connell

itswelshliam.bsky.social
Liam Edwards @itswelshliam.bsky.social · May 15
Interested in Admin Law or Devolution?

My completed doctoral thesis, "Judicial Review in the Devolved Nations" is now openly available to download and read through the link below.

pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/studentTh...
Judicial review in the Devolved Nations: a comparative analysis of the judicial review landscape in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
pure.ulster.ac.uk

Reposted by Jim Kelly

cpsa-acsp.bsky.social
🇨🇦 CPSA ACSP 🇨🇦 @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social · May 15
🏆D Smiley 2025 Félicitations 👋🏾👋🏾
@james-kelly.bsky.social|Rayment|@stephanell.bsky.social Campana @mcgillqueensup.bsky.social Tanner
⭕️Jury Doberstein @mireillelalancette.bsky.social @jeraldsabin.bsky.social
CITATIONS conta.cc/4jxLz2F
Winner👉🏽June 4 TMU cpsaconference.ca/sessions_det...

Reposted by Jim Kelly

alainggagnon.bsky.social
Alain-G. Gagnon @alainggagnon.bsky.social · May 11
La Société royale du Canada (SRC) et l’Université du Québec en Outaouais sont ravies de présenter le quatrième volet de la série des Dialogues de la SRC @ l’UQO, qui portera sur la pauvreté et les inégalités.

Reposted by Jim Kelly

anuragdeb.bsky.social
Anurag Deb @anuragdeb.bsky.social · May 10
Out in the latest issue of the European Human Rights Law Review, @colinmurray.bsky.social and I look at the recent Dillon judgments in the NI courts. The first Act of Parliament to be disapplied after Brexit, the case is due to be heard in the UK Supreme Court later this year.
Anurag Deb & CRG Murray, 'By their powers combined: the two article 2s at work on the Dillon challenge to the Legacy Act' (2025) 2 EHRLR 178 (available on Westlaw) Abstract: "The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s Dillon judgment marked a profound reversal for the United Kingdom (UK) Government. The court, building upon the judgment of the High Court, found that significant elements of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 could not be reconciled with the UK’s commitments under either the Human Rights Act or the Windsor Framework. In the former regard, the issue revolved around the investigative duties which accompany art.2 of the European Convention on Human Rights . In the latter, at issue is the diminution of rights for victims of serious crime which had applied under the Victims’ Directive while the UK was an EU Member State, and which were thereby covered by the UK’s commitments to maintaining rights and equality protections derived from EU law in Northern Ireland law after Brexit under art.2 of the Windsor Framework. In this article we find nothing particularly complex in the positions adopted by the Court of Appeal on either of these issues. Instead, what this furore represents is the UK Government, in the hands of both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, finding itself surprised and exposed by the Northern Ireland judiciary's confidence in employing these rights protection mechanisms."

Reposted by Jim Kelly

nobyrne.bsky.social
Nicole O’Byrne @nobyrne.bsky.social · May 8
I'm pleased to announce that the Canadian Law and Society Association's prize committee has decided on its shortlist of books for the W. Wesley Pue Book Prize. The winner will be announced at the conference to be held at the U of Saskatchewan College of Law, 11-13 June 2025. @bbryder.bsky.social

james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 9
Very grateful to Harrison Lowman and @thehubcanada.bsky.social for the recent interview on my book, Constraining the Court (UBC Press 2024), nominated for the Donner Prize. Thanks @ubcpress.bsky.social and Randy Schmidt
youtu.be/IRuvLfVZ8uQ?...
James Kelly on constraining the courts and judicial power
YouTube video by The Hub Canada
youtu.be

james-kelly.bsky.social
Jim Kelly @james-kelly.bsky.social · May 9
Thrilled to be a finalist for the W. Wesley Pue Book Prize by the Canadian Law and Society Association, awarded for the best book on Law + Society. Thanks to @ubcpress.bsky.social and Randy Schmidt. Congratulations to the other finalists and their presses.