Whether it’s the first-past-the-post electoral system or partisan government appointees to the Senate, Canadians want better representation and accountability from the federal government. Before reforms can be enacted, however, it is important to explore and clarify the relationships among Canada’s three parliamentary institutions: Crown, Senate, and Commons.

In The Constitution in a Hall of Mirrors, David E. Smith presents a learned but accessible analysis of the interconnectedness of Canada’s parliamentary institutions. Smith argues that Parliament is a unity comprised of three parts and any reforms made to one branch will, whether intended or not, affect the other branches. Through a timely, nuanced, and comprehensive examination of parliamentary debates, committee reports, legal scholarship, and comparative analysis of developments in the United Kingdom, Smith uncovers the substantial degree of ambiguity that exists among Canadians and their calls for structural and operational reforms. By illuminating the symbiotic relationship between the Crown, Senate, and Commons, The Constitution in a Hall of Mirrors brings government reform closer to reality.

David E. Smith, FRSC, is the author of Federalism and the Constitution of Canada, The People’s House of Commons, and many books on Canadian politics. He is currently Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University.

David E. Smith's profile page

• Short-listed, Canadian Law and Society Association Book Prize

‘A reader will be struck by the depth of Smith’s comprehension of the subject matter. He effortlessly weaves between topics, displaying a rare expertise that is honed after decades of study.’

The Hill Times January 8, 2018

"David Smith’s The Constitution in a Hall of Mirrors: Canada at 150 is a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of Canada’s political system in the context of the constitution, as the nation celebrated its sesquicentennial…The book is insightful, well thought out, and challenges many beliefs commonly held by the Canadian public, resulting in an overall great book."

Saskatchewan Law Review

‘The Constitution in a Hall of Mirrors is an interesting and thought provoking read. I recommend it for academic or parliamentary library collections. It would complement, in particular, the reading lists of upper-year undergraduate or graduate students of political science.’

Canadian Law Library Review vol 43:01:2018