Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
@emmettmacfarlane.com
Professor of political science. Author. Dad.
Constitutional law, rights, governing institutions, and Canadian politics.
Books: Legislating under the Charter; Constitutional Pariah; Governing from the Bench
Constitutional law, rights, governing institutions, and Canadian politics.
Books: Legislating under the Charter; Constitutional Pariah; Governing from the Bench
Pinned
Rights and Parliamentary Systems in Canada and Beyond - University of Toronto Press
utppublishing.com
You can now order my latest edited book, "Rights and Parliamentary Systems in Canada and Beyond." Check out the amazing table of contents here: utppublishing.com/doi/book/10....
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
hollisrobbinsanecdotal.substack.com/p/you-say-si...
"Silos preserve quality and integrity. Without silos, grain rots... Its purpose is preservation, not isolation. ... The function of the academic discipline is not unlike an agricultural silo: it is a structure of preservation and quality control."
"Silos preserve quality and integrity. Without silos, grain rots... Its purpose is preservation, not isolation. ... The function of the academic discipline is not unlike an agricultural silo: it is a structure of preservation and quality control."
You say 'silo' as if it were a bad thing...
Information storage in the AI era
hollisrobbinsanecdotal.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:12 PM
hollisrobbinsanecdotal.substack.com/p/you-say-si...
"Silos preserve quality and integrity. Without silos, grain rots... Its purpose is preservation, not isolation. ... The function of the academic discipline is not unlike an agricultural silo: it is a structure of preservation and quality control."
"Silos preserve quality and integrity. Without silos, grain rots... Its purpose is preservation, not isolation. ... The function of the academic discipline is not unlike an agricultural silo: it is a structure of preservation and quality control."
How about some support for sectors hammered by shitty provincial governments?
Carney announces new support for sectors hammered by U.S. tariffs nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/26/c...
Carney announces new support for sectors hammered by U.S. tariffs
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:40 PM
How about some support for sectors hammered by shitty provincial governments?
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
I will believe in the end of identity politics when steel and lumber (28,000 jobs and 105,000 jobs respectively) stop getting bailouts, while higher education (310,000 jobs) collapses in front of our eyes because it's full of ivory tower elites
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 PM
I will believe in the end of identity politics when steel and lumber (28,000 jobs and 105,000 jobs respectively) stop getting bailouts, while higher education (310,000 jobs) collapses in front of our eyes because it's full of ivory tower elites
Holy hell. www.bbc.com/news/live/c2...
Hong Kong fire: At least 36 killed in Hong Kong fire with 279 still missing, authorities say
Hundreds of firefighters have spent hours tackling the blaze, which began in apartment blocks surrounded by bamboo scaffolding.
www.bbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Holy hell. www.bbc.com/news/live/c2...
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
Doug Ford *falsely claiming* he has the power to audit his enemies when he doesn’t actually have that power is still a news story
But it’s kind of a different story than one uncritically accepting the premise that the Premier of Ontario can order the federal government to audit his enemies
But it’s kind of a different story than one uncritically accepting the premise that the Premier of Ontario can order the federal government to audit his enemies
It would have been nice if someone asked Doug Ford to explain how he plans to order these charity audits given charities are overseen federally by Canada Revenue Agency
Ford says he will audit ‘left-wing radical groups’ opposed to government legislation | Globalnews.ca
Ford's warning came after members of the tenant advocacy group ACORN interrupted the legislature to protest a controversial omnibus bill that shortens some eviction timelines.
globalnews.ca
November 26, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Doug Ford *falsely claiming* he has the power to audit his enemies when he doesn’t actually have that power is still a news story
But it’s kind of a different story than one uncritically accepting the premise that the Premier of Ontario can order the federal government to audit his enemies
But it’s kind of a different story than one uncritically accepting the premise that the Premier of Ontario can order the federal government to audit his enemies
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
A democracy where a coordinated effort by national leaders of one party to subvert an election outcome does not lead to any real consequences is a democracy unlikely to last long
Judge dismisses Georgia criminal case against Donald Trump
Judge dismisses Georgia criminal case against Donald Trump
It was the last remaining prosecution he faced over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election.
dlvr.it
November 26, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A democracy where a coordinated effort by national leaders of one party to subvert an election outcome does not lead to any real consequences is a democracy unlikely to last long
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
Yeah, it’s like they’re binary thinkers. Yes just because PP would’ve been worse, doesn’t mean Carney has proven to be great. It’s like Liberals entire goal is to always be judged on a curve.
November 26, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Yeah, it’s like they’re binary thinkers. Yes just because PP would’ve been worse, doesn’t mean Carney has proven to be great. It’s like Liberals entire goal is to always be judged on a curve.
As responses, "It could have been PP" and "Name someone who would be better" just tell me that even Liberals know there's not much they can say to actually defend Carney's *substantive record* so far.
Carney has been so much worse than expected. It's like watching The Matrix sequels of governance or something.
Every 19th/20th century industry you can think of is getting subsidies.
November 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
As responses, "It could have been PP" and "Name someone who would be better" just tell me that even Liberals know there's not much they can say to actually defend Carney's *substantive record* so far.
Carney has been so much worse than expected. It's like watching The Matrix sequels of governance or something.
Every 19th/20th century industry you can think of is getting subsidies.
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Carney has been so much worse than expected. It's like watching The Matrix sequels of governance or something.
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
Among various papers published defending Quebec's ability to unilaterally amend the Constitution of Canada, none actually address my arguments, made here in this article in the Osgoode Hall Law Journal: digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/ohlj/vol60/i...
Provincial Constitutions, the Amending Formula, and Unilateral Amendments to the Constitution of Canada: An Analysis of Quebec’s Bill 96
This article critically analyzes provincial authority to unilaterally amend the Constitution of Canada. Via an assessment of the purported amendments in Quebec’s Bill 96, which would recognize Quebece...
digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca
November 24, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Among various papers published defending Quebec's ability to unilaterally amend the Constitution of Canada, none actually address my arguments, made here in this article in the Osgoode Hall Law Journal: digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/ohlj/vol60/i...
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
Among all the problems with substance and process identified in this story on Quebec's constitution bill, not mentioned is the blatantly unconstitutional element of purporting to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, which I remind you all, a province can't do.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Why Quebec’s proposed constitution has legal experts, civil rights groups sounding the alarm | CBC News
The legislation tabled last month has been the subject of growing consternation among legal experts and civil liberties groups, who warn it would centralize power, weaken judicial oversight and infrin...
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Among all the problems with substance and process identified in this story on Quebec's constitution bill, not mentioned is the blatantly unconstitutional element of purporting to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, which I remind you all, a province can't do.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
This might be... a writing day. #NovemberMiracle
November 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
This might be... a writing day. #NovemberMiracle
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
It is wholly inappropriate and professionally negligent for a journalist to rely upon, let alone quote, ChatGPT as a source. CBC News should have established guidelines to make sure this kind of thing never happens.
UMMM: "CBC News asked ChatGPT whether Newfoundland could be seen from Cape Breton. The answer was "generally no," but the artificial intelligence chatbot said in theory Newfoundland can be "barely visible" under perfect atmospheric conditions from very high points.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Can you see Newfoundland from Cape Breton? Online photo sparks debate | CBC News
An online photo has sparked a passionate debate about whether or not it's possible.
www.cbc.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
It is wholly inappropriate and professionally negligent for a journalist to rely upon, let alone quote, ChatGPT as a source. CBC News should have established guidelines to make sure this kind of thing never happens.
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
Oh please just fuck off
November 26, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Oh please just fuck off
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
narrator: 50 years ago...
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
November 25, 2025 at 2:11 AM
narrator: 50 years ago...
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
me: [nods] in 1945
narrator: in 1975...
me: what
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
when its definitely not a hostage situation
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
when its definitely not a hostage situation
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
I'm not proposing a ceiling, or speaking to other professions. But 200K puts an individual in the top 5% of income, and we're seeing hiring freezes and program cancellations, when salaries are 90% of starved operating budgets. The Ontario professoriate needs a little perspective, IMO.
November 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I'm not proposing a ceiling, or speaking to other professions. But 200K puts an individual in the top 5% of income, and we're seeing hiring freezes and program cancellations, when salaries are 90% of starved operating budgets. The Ontario professoriate needs a little perspective, IMO.
CEO pay is so absurd, and CEOs so generally shitty, that we would probably have *better results* with lower CEO pay.
Maybe we should try an experiment with CEOs and their pay.
November 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
CEO pay is so absurd, and CEOs so generally shitty, that we would probably have *better results* with lower CEO pay.
I think literally every one working as a regular prof at a Canadian university - except perhaps a fraction of one percent lured from abroad - would happily be in their exact same jobs at 20% lower salary.
Isn’t the impetus of paying large salaries to attract top flight talent? Would this not be seen as a good thing? I don’t mean to sound trite, I’m genuinely curious about your take on this.
November 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I think literally every one working as a regular prof at a Canadian university - except perhaps a fraction of one percent lured from abroad - would happily be in their exact same jobs at 20% lower salary.
Nope. 100K is now the *starting* salaries at most Ontario universities. The average salary of a tenured prof is well over $150K. In my department of 18, at least a third make over 200K. It's ludicrous.
I assume these averages are means that are bumped way up by a few big earners in business and med/eng/law schools, though. Like, your average liberal arts assoc. prof isn’t making much more than 100k at best, I bet.
November 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Nope. 100K is now the *starting* salaries at most Ontario universities. The average salary of a tenured prof is well over $150K. In my department of 18, at least a third make over 200K. It's ludicrous.
Utterly, patently ridiculous. We have such great jobs - flexibility, self-management (an employer, no boss), and generally following our interests. Yes, we're specialized, yes we sacrificed income in our 20s to earn PhDs, but good lord is paying profs over 200K ever excessive.
Canadian University salary data is out: Queen's has now passed Toronto in having the highest average professorial salary - $198,875.
November 25, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Utterly, patently ridiculous. We have such great jobs - flexibility, self-management (an employer, no boss), and generally following our interests. Yes, we're specialized, yes we sacrificed income in our 20s to earn PhDs, but good lord is paying profs over 200K ever excessive.
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
The UCP: you should be able to fire your MLA, here’s a handy-dandy recall process.
Citizens in 9 Alberta ridings: ok
The UCP: NOT LIKE THAT!
Citizens in 9 Alberta ridings: ok
The UCP: NOT LIKE THAT!
November 25, 2025 at 3:09 PM
The UCP: you should be able to fire your MLA, here’s a handy-dandy recall process.
Citizens in 9 Alberta ridings: ok
The UCP: NOT LIKE THAT!
Citizens in 9 Alberta ridings: ok
The UCP: NOT LIKE THAT!
I think he would benefit enormously from the right poli sci advisor.
It is nuts because he does not just have an economics degree, Carney's resume should back up that he has the capacity for long term economic planning. Like, does he need a poli-sci adviser to tell him that a Prime Minister does not, and should not, need to govern like this?
November 25, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I think he would benefit enormously from the right poli sci advisor.
Reposted by Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦
Used to work great for keyword search to get results representing a mix of top cited and most recent scholarship in legit academic journals/books. Now about half the results are unpublished theses, partial documents and questionable sources. And citational info for the good sources is often wrong.
November 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Used to work great for keyword search to get results representing a mix of top cited and most recent scholarship in legit academic journals/books. Now about half the results are unpublished theses, partial documents and questionable sources. And citational info for the good sources is often wrong.
Interesting divergence between the tight party numbers between the CPC & LPC and the chasm between the leaders.
📊Preferred PM tracker, Nanos Research (Oct.31-Nov.21, 2025):
🔴53% Mark Carney (+4)
🔵26% Pierre Poilievre (-1)
(Comparison with previous 4-week sample)
338canada.com/20251121-nan...
🔴53% Mark Carney (+4)
🔵26% Pierre Poilievre (-1)
(Comparison with previous 4-week sample)
338canada.com/20251121-nan...
338Canada | Nanos Research federal poll, November 2025
338canada.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Interesting divergence between the tight party numbers between the CPC & LPC and the chasm between the leaders.