The Language of Canadian Politics: A Guide to Important Terms and Concepts. Rev. ed.

J.L. Granatstein is a professor of history at York University, the
co-author of the Dictionary of Canadian Military History and Empire to
Umpire: Canada and the World to the 1990s, and the author of The Good
Fight.

We all assume that we know the meaning of the words and phrases that
make up our political discourse. But do we really? Take “proportional
representation,” a phrase that has been argued about for years in
Canada. How many Canadians really could define it? Or the “compact
theory of Confederation.” How many could give an adequate definition
of that sometimes hotly debated position? Party discipline? Patriation?
“Property and Civil Rights”?

This very useful book, by a Wilfrid Laurier University professor, is a
revision of a book published a decade ago, and its utility for
politicians, bureaucrats, students, and researchers remains very high
indeed. The definitions are clear and straightforward—and long enough
to convey the details. The accuracy is very high. The only error I noted
was in the section on NORAD, which is now the North American Aerospace
Defence command, not “Air Defence” command. In other words, this
dictionary of terms and concepts can be relied upon.