Executive Branch (middle)

Components of Executive Branch  Governor General  Prime Minister  Cabinet  The Bureaucracy

Governor General Governor General  We are all aware of the role of the Governor General  Know that they are a part of the executive branch  Mostly symbolic duties such as receiving new ambassadors and awarding the Order of Canada to people who have made outstanding contributions to public life

The Prime Minister  Central Figure  Powers are enormous but not outlined in any document  Include:  a.) party leadership  b.) appointment  c.) governmental organization  d.) dissolution

a.) Party Leadership  Has the power to approve someone from his own party running in an election to become an MP  When a party wins an election, it can be said that the voters have given that party a mandate  PM can therefore count on support of his MP’s  Utilize caucus meetings to iron out issues

b.) Power of appointment  Appoints Governor general  Appoints cabinet members through Governor General  Each province is represented in cabinet  Decides the size of the cabinet  All races, genders, minority groups etc.

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

d.) Power of dissolution  PM is able set the time of election to his liking, government can be dissolved before set election date if a minority government is defeated in a vote of non-confidence , the government serves a maximum five year term,

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  Is a public service not affiliated with any party  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 who are responsible for portfolio’s  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

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 - 23 departments each led by Cabinet minister - Ex. Transportation, National Defense, Justice -Crown Corporation - 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