Parliament Will Decide Summary
The article Parliament will decide: An interplay of politics and principle by Norman Hillmer and Philippe Lagassé outlines the Canadian governments role in deciding whether or not to get involved in foreign combat following the first World War and the 1931 Statute of Westminster. Prior to the introduction of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, Canada along with other British colonies were required to declare war and deploy armed forces wartime. However, even with the establishment of the Statute of Westminster, which enabled parliament to be the decision-making body, Canada often continued to follow in the footsteps of Britain when it came to getting involved in combat. For example, Canada’s declaration of war against Germany came seven days
after Britain’s.
The article argues that even with heightened parliamentary power, Canada often chose to follow suit of Britain because government felt that it was the “right thing to do”. The article presents numerous cases in which the Canadian government, given the opportunity to choose whether or not to engage in war and peace keeping missions. The notion of choosing Canada’s involvement was crucial in Canadian election politics, as many French Canadians were not keen on Canada’s involvement to support Britain. Even prior to Canadian parliament having the power to decide in 1914 with the first World War, Canada devoted itself to the war before the Imperial Crown’s declaration was made. Furthermore, sometimes Canadian troops were deployed before parliament had an opportunity to decide, as can be exemplified by former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s decision to involve Canadian troops in the United Nations mission in Cyprus in 1964. More recent Prime Ministers have remained faithful to the notion of allowing parliament to vote on Canada’s involvement in combat, however, it has been observed that despite Canada’s ability to make its own decisions on its involvement in war, they habitually follow the lead of their allies, such as Britain and the United States.
after Britain’s.
The article argues that even with heightened parliamentary power, Canada often chose to follow suit of Britain because government felt that it was the “right thing to do”. The article presents numerous cases in which the Canadian government, given the opportunity to choose whether or not to engage in war and peace keeping missions. The notion of choosing Canada’s involvement was crucial in Canadian election politics, as many French Canadians were not keen on Canada’s involvement to support Britain. Even prior to Canadian parliament having the power to decide in 1914 with the first World War, Canada devoted itself to the war before the Imperial Crown’s declaration was made. Furthermore, sometimes Canadian troops were deployed before parliament had an opportunity to decide, as can be exemplified by former Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson’s decision to involve Canadian troops in the United Nations mission in Cyprus in 1964. More recent Prime Ministers have remained faithful to the notion of allowing parliament to vote on Canada’s involvement in combat, however, it has been observed that despite Canada’s ability to make its own decisions on its involvement in war, they habitually follow the lead of their allies, such as Britain and the United States.