Executive Branch (middle) sovereign Governor General Prime Minister Privy Council Office PM’s office cabinet Ministries and Civil Service

Components of Executive Branch Governor General: David Johnston Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau Cabinet: Members of the HOC or Senate with or without Portfolios (Government ministries they are in charge of) that form the P.M.’s closest group of advisors Possible portfolios or ministries include but are not limited to: Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Safety etc. The Bureaucracy: The offices and departments necessary to run the ministries that Cabinet Ministers with Portfolios are responsible for

Governor General Has mostly symbolic duties such as receiving new ambassadors and awarding the Order of Canada to people who have made outstanding contributions to public life. Does have the power to decline to sign a bill into a law or prorogue Parliament.

The Prime Minister Central Figure Head of Government Powers are enormous but not outlined in any document Those powers include: a.) party leadership b.) appointment c.) governmental organization d.) dissolution of the House of Commons

a.) Party Leadership The P.M has the power to approve which person from his own party will run in an election to become an MP in each riding (constituency, electoral district) When a party wins an election, it can be said that the voters have given that party a mandate to rule the country PM can therefore count on support of his MP’s. This means that they will all vote the way the leader of the party votes. This is called Party Solidarity The P.M. utilizes caucus meetings (a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement) to iron out issues or disagreements within the party.

b.) Power of appointment The P.M. appoints the Governor General Appoints cabinet members through Governor General The P.M. decides the size of the cabinet Each province is supposed to be represented in cabinet All races, genders, minority groups etc. are meant to be represented, obviously that poses some challenges.

c.) Government organization The PM appoints cabinet ministers and has the power to create or abolish portfolio’s (ministries) The P.M. will often pick his most trusted cabinet members to form an inner cabinet for every day decision making Cabinets can be shuffled by the PM to freshen things up

d.) Power of Dissolution The PM calls the election at the end of their five year term Government can be dissolved before they set an election date if they are a minority government and they are defeated in a vote of non-confidence The government serves a maximum five year term, before calling an election

Prime Ministers Office Carry out everyday functions of government (answer phones, mail, schedules etc.) Top people in office play important role Head of PMO known as Principal Secretary = Good friend to PM Advise PM on how policies will affect party popularity

Privy Council Office Eyes and ears of cabinet Top figure = Clerk of Privy Council Very influential Coordinating meetings and relaying decisions Provide impartial research and info

The Cabinet Members of cabinet called ministers are responsible for portfolio’s These portfolios are comprised of what we call ministries (like the Ministry of Transportation) Cabinets form committees to discuss planning and priorities Cabinet members show solidarity to their party Ministers agree to secrecy regarding meetings

Cabinet Continued… A key agency linked with the Cabinet is the Treasury Board (cabinet committee) Purpose is to monitor budgets of the government Another group associated with the Cabinet is the “Shadow Cabinet.” The Official Opposition appoints one of their MP’s to “shadow” each of the Cabinet Ministers responsible for a portfolio

Ministries or Bureaucracy One in every five Canadians works for the government Divided into several branches Four major structures: a.) government departments b.) crown corporations c.) regulator agencies d.) advisory bodies. Song!

Bureaucracy continued… Government departments: - There are approximately 23 departments each led by a Cabinet minister - Ex. Transportation, National Defense, Justice, etc. Crown Corporation: - This is a business owned by the government - Ex: Canadian National Railway

Bureaucracy continued… Regulatory Agencies: - set rules and regulations by which businesses in Canada must operate - Ex: Canadian Transport Commission Advisory Bodies: - Royal Commissions or task forces set up to examine a specific issue - Ex. Royal Commission on Canadian Unity