Alex Marland
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alexmarland.bsky.social
Alex Marland
@alexmarland.bsky.social
640 followers 110 following 140 posts
Professor, Canadian politics | Jarislowsky Chair in Trust & Political Leadership, Acadia University. New book "No I in Team" out. https://partyloyalty.ca
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Reposted by Alex Marland
jaredwesley.ca
The Toronto Star is running a lengthy excerpt from our latest book today.

We go behind the scenes of hundreds of party defections and expulsions, revealing the anatomy of party (dis)loyalty in Canada.
November 9, 2025 at 2:54 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Sitting as an Independent will be far more pallatable to voters in Edmonton Riverbend than if he had crossed the floor. Explainer at partyloyalty.ca
November 6, 2025 at 11:14 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Usually, parliamentarians who publicly say they are thinking about crossing the floor are quickly shown the door. For research on this, see partyloyalty.ca
November 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
partyloyalty.bsky.social
🧵1/
What happens when your party tells you to “be quiet until everyone else has spoken”?
Chuck Porter, former Nova Scotia MLA, said that meant telling 15,000 voters in Hants West to be quiet. So in 2014, he quit the PCs and sat as an Independent 👇
November 4, 2025 at 5:04 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Where did the tradition of Canada’s finance minister wearing new shoes on budget day come from? 👞🍁

Mary Francoli & I traced it from a 1955 quip to a 2004 staple. It’s now a distinctly Canadian photo-op that blends tradition, symbolism & media strategy.

cjc.utppublishing.com/doi/10.22230...
Evolution of a Government Photo Op: The Media Tradition of a Canadian Finance Minister’s New Budget Shoes | Canadian Journal of Communication
Background: Photo opportunities enable tight scripting and image control while catering to the media’s need for visual content. This research traces how, since 1955, Canadian finance ministers and the media have exhibited a uniquely Canadian interest in the minister’s budget day shoes. Analysis: A review of newspaper coverage about the federal budget indicates that news stories contributed to the myth of parliamentary tradition that evolved into packaged photo ops. Interviews with journalists and a finance minister’s staff, among others, provide insights about photo-op management in a permanent campaigning environment. Conclusion and implications: The case study adds to knowledge about strategic communication in government and the evolution of media-state relations in Canada.
cjc.utppublishing.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
uoftpress.bsky.social
“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
October 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Having studied numerous cases of parliamentarians departing from cabinet and caucus in Canada, I cannot recall an instance in which a premier appeared alongside a departing minister at a news conference to announce the minister’s resignation and decision to sit as an Independent.
October 30, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
jaredwesley.ca
What effect will Danielle Smith's absence have on caucus unity?

In our new book, No I in Team (partyloyalty.ca) we highlight the importance of face-to-face, eye-to-eye caucus management.

By most accounts, Smith's leadership style relies heavily on that approach.

Here are some excerpts...+
No I in Team | Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics
partyloyalty.ca
October 30, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Reposted by Alex Marland
pivocerveza.bsky.social
1/6 Lack of awareness of the electoral reform plebiscite is not a surprise. In his submission to the Yukon Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee on Electoral Reform, Graham White, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto, offered the following advice:
October 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
hilltimes.com
Q&A | ‘Treachery’ and ‘troublemaker’ MPs: Alex Marland on why going against party leaders is verboten in Canadian politics

www.hilltimes.com/story/2025/1...
Q&A | ‘Treachery’ and ‘troublemaker’ MPs: why going against party leaders is verboten in Canadian politics
In the new book No I in Team, political scientist Alex Marland and his co-authors unpack why party discipline has gone too far.
www.hilltimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
partyloyalty.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/paulwell...
The Q&A: "If you are not getting along with your leader, you’re going to want to leave your party"
Political scientist Alex Marland on his new book about loyalty and party discipline
open.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Thank you for the surprise delivery, @fsnagovsky.bsky.social. Well played, sir. Well played.
October 28, 2025 at 3:06 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
As far as party exits go, this one was mild. Usually a parliamentarian in this situation levels harsh allegations against their former leader. See partyloyalty.ca
October 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
parlcharlie.bsky.social
Today’s Canadian parliamentary anniversary? It’s been a decade since the Reform Act, 2014 came into force on October 26, 2015. This is an editorial the Globe and Mail ran that week, encouraging all parties to submit to the opt-in provisions re caucus management. 1/4
PARLIAMENT Vote Reform! By the skin of its teeth, the Reform Act, 2014, was passed by the 41st Parliament in its dying days. The major party caucuses are now beginning to gather for the new Parliament, scheduled to open in December. This will be the first test of a bill that its author, Michael Chong, hopes will help restore the essence of parliamentary democracy. Mr. Chong’s bill requires each party caucus, after every general election, to take a recorded vote on whether the caucus will submit itself to the reforms in the bill, or stick with the status quo. If the caucus members vote to submit themselves to the legislation, they will be able to remove the caucus chair or the leader — the prime minister included — or expel a member, if 20 per cent of the members call for a review. If the 20-per-cent threshold is reached, then there is a second, secret vote. If 50 per cent plus one of all caucus members vote to remove the leader or the chair, or expel a member, then that’s what happens. For too long, MPs have been treated like trained seals by party leaders and their whips. MPs who dared to think independently found themselves arbitrarily banished from caucus. The Reform Act returns some balance to Parliament. We urge all the caucuses to show some gumption and vote in the interests of a stronger Parliament by submitting to the Reform Act.
October 26, 2025 at 11:20 AM
Reposted by Alex Marland
hilltimes.com
No 'I' in Team: why party discipline has gone too far, with Alex Marland. Listen here!

Hill Times: www.hilltimes.com/podcast/no-i...
Apple: apple.co/36Xy34C
Spotify: spoti.fi/3lOeth9
October 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
jaredwesley.ca
That new book feeling doesn't get old, even when you're older.

PartyLoyalty.ca
October 22, 2025 at 1:47 AM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Thrilled to share that "No I in Team: Party Loyalty in Canadian Politics" is finally in print! Deep research into why Canadian politicians rarely dissent from their leaders.
Learn more at partyloyalty.ca

@uoftpress.bsky.social @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social @jaredwesley.ca @mireillelalancette.bsky.social
October 22, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
emgmccallion.bsky.social
🚨 A fantastic opportunity for Canadian Politics grad students! Several of my colleagues and I have had the benefit of this fellowship - beyond the financial award (much appreciated by any grad student), you also get to mobilize your research for scholars, bureaucrats, and parliamentarians 🇨🇦🧑‍🎓📚
cspggcep.bsky.social CSPG/GCEP @cspggcep.bsky.social · Sep 22
📣The Manon Tremblay Fellowship offers doctoral students the chance to win $10,000 to support their work. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 31, 2025. More details at cspg-gcep.ca/pdf/2025Doct....
The image contains the following text: "Manon Tremblay Doctoral Fellowship Encouraging the study, understanding and discussion of the parliamentary process and institutions in Canada. Admissibility: doctoral students Deadline: Friday, October 31, 2025 Prize: $10,000" The Canadian Study of Parliament Group's logo is seen in the bottom right corner.
October 20, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
jaredwesley.ca
A series of recent floor crossings in the Senate raises important questions about the nature of partisanship in Canada.

In our new book (partyloyalty.ca), we cover similar developments over the past 4 decades in the House of Commons and provincial legislators.

www.ipolitics.ca/2025/10/16/s...
Senators are flocking to the Conservative ranks — and more may be on the way
In an interview, Senate Opposition Leader Leo Housakos said the Conservatives are still having ongoing discussions with "a couple more senators," including one he did not identify, but who he expects ...
www.ipolitics.ca
October 20, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Alex Marland
cpsa-acsp.bsky.social
Get the inside track! 🎯 Here’s a sneak peek at the 8 workshops that will define #CPSA_ACSP26👇🏾
DEADLINE NOV 10 25 shorturl.at/AgUow
@lindsaylarios.bsky.social @matthewlebo.bsky.social @jonathanmalloy.bsky.social @alexmarland.bsky.social @joannaeveritt.bsky.social @raulpachecovega.bsky.social
October 17, 2025 at 4:51 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
The Supreme Court of Canada deserves an A+ for its new robes. The red & white ones were the colours of the Canadian flag -- but also those of the Liberal Party. A good move to better express judicial neutrality. #cdnpoli
October 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
iogca.bsky.social
Public mandate letters have become important instruments of governance in Canada. This article, by our President and CEO Allen Sutherland, examines the ongoing metamorphosis of mandate letters as an instrument of governance from the Trudeau to the Carney government.
October 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Reposted by Alex Marland
jonathanmalloy.bsky.social
Big news for CPSA 2026 - the Canadian Legislatures and Leadership Workshop, organized by @alexmarland.bsky.social and yours truly!

uOttawa, June 2-4, 2026 as part of the Canadian Political Science Association meetings. @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social

More info:
mycpsa-cpsa-acsp.ca/cfp/cfp_callE
CPSA | ACSP
mycpsa-cpsa-acsp.ca
October 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Something doesn’t add up in the Marineland beluga whale dispute. In government, new policies usually apply on a go-forward basis, with provisions -- like grandparenting or support measures -- for those who would be unfairly affected by new rules.
October 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
alexmarland.bsky.social
Students from Acadia, SMU & UQTR got a behind-the-scenes look at politics & media in Halifax on Friday — visiting CBC, CTV, NATIONAL PR & the NS Legislature. From newsroom bias to party discipline, lots learned about how democracy really works. Huge thanks to all our hosts!
October 4, 2025 at 2:20 PM