Promotional Information

Prime Ministerial Power in Canada is a highly original - indeed path-breaking - exhaustively researched, and convincingly argued analysis with much to say to both historians and political scientists. Patrice Dutil's fine work will be a "must-read" for anyone - scholar, journalist, citizen - who wants to understand the nature of prime ministerial power in Canada, past and present. -- Graham White, professor emeritus of political science, University of Toronto

Table of Contents

Foreword by Robert Bothwell and John English

Introduction

1 How the Prime Ministership Was “Made”: Readings, Theories, Models

Part 1: Structure

2 Macdonald’s First Mandate: Consolidating Prime Ministerial Power

3 Macdonald Returns: Strengthening the Executive Machinery

4 Wilfrid Laurier: The Quick Apprentice

5 Robert Borden: The Inept Reformer

Part 2: Substance

6 The Public Service and the Slow Death of Patronage

7 Priority Setting and the Budget

8 The Management of Crisis

Part 3: Style

9 The Order-in-Council: A Tool of Administrative Control

10 Managing Routine: Everyday Prime Ministerial Style

Conclusion

Appendices; Notes; Index

About the Author

Patrice Dutil is a professor of politics and public administration at Ryerson University. He is the founder of the Literary Review of Canada and the president of the Champlain Society. He is the author and editor of several books on diverse aspects of Canadian politics and governance.

Reviews

Prime Ministerial Power in Canada is engaging reading. The book’s lively prose style, clarity of expression, logical and transparent structure, and meticulous attention to accuracy in detail adds to its appeal. It combines theoretical sophistication with profound historical understanding.
*The Ormsby Review*

Prime Ministerial Power in Canada is an incredibly welcome addition to the understanding of the Canadian political executive … Any serious scholar of the Canadian political executive must read (and re-read) this book.
*Policy Magazine*

Dutil casts light on the minutiae of governing that elucidates the challenges of managing and entrenching power … The strength and innovation of the book is in the detailed analysis of the use of royal commissions, orders-in-council and correspondence as instruments of power.
*Literary Review of Canada*

This is a remarkable book by a distinguished author. [...]Prime Ministerial Power in Canada is both unique and comprehensive, while adding greatly to our knowledge of the history of our country.
*Canada's History*

With this superbly-executed, comprehensive book, [St-Laurent] now gets the tribute he would not have asked for — but nonetheless deserves.
*Policy Magazine*