POSC 1000 Introduction to Politics Parliamentary Systems Russell Alan Williams

Unit Eleven: Parliamentary Systems Required Reading: Mintz, Chapter 14. Outline: 1. Introduction – Formal Institutions 2. Parliamentary Systems 1.Legislative Institutions 2.Executive Institutions 3. Conclusions

1) Introduction - Formal Institutions: Formal institutions include: Unitary vs. Federal Systems Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems More important distinction Basis of major differences between Canada and the US

Basic functions of all government systems: Legislative Activities: Making laws, passing legislation Implementing the government’s agenda E.g. New bills etc. Executive Activities: Implementing and administering laws The actual work of governing E.g. Overseeing the work of ministries Judicial Activities: Resolving disagreements about interpretation of laws E.g. Interpreting the Constitution

In “Parliamentary Systems”: Close relationship between executive and legislative activities Government must have support of legislature Government selected from legislature, not elected by people In “Presidential Systems”: “Separation of power” between different activities President and bureaucracy = executive Congress = legislative Neither is dependent on the other as both have been elected

2) Parliamentary Systems: A) Legislative Institutions: Parliament = Generally is “ bicameral ” = Two houses Britain: HoC and House of Lords Canada: HoC and Senate “ upper house ” often not elected i) “ House of Commons ” : Elected chamber Each “ Member of Parliament ” (MP) is elected from a geographical constituency

“ House of Commons ”.... The government: “ Head of Government ” : Person who runs government In parliamentary system this is normally the leader of the party with the most MP ’ s = the prime minister “ Cabinet ” : Members of the political executive In parliamentary system these are normally MP ’ s selected by prime minister from their own party Cabinet proposes all major legislation and controls the budget Principles: “ Cabinet Secrecy ” & “ Cabinet Solidarity ”

“ Majority Government ” : When one party has more than 50% of MP ’ s Easy for PM and cabinet to pass legislation E.g. Dunderdale government (2011-????) Harper Government (2011 – until the end of time... ) “ Minority Government ” : When party with most MPs (but not majority) forms a government but cannot pass legislation without support of other parties E.g. Paul Martin Government ( ) E.g. Harper Governments ( ) Traditionally = requires formal arrangement In Canada = ?????? Current situation?

“ House of Commons ”.... The opposition: “ Official Opposition ” : Party with 2 nd most MP ’ s Always leads question period and criticisms of government policy “ Loyal Opposition ” : Other parties – loyal to the state, not to the government Other key concepts: “ Private Members ” : All MPs not in Cabinet Can propose own legislation, but hard to get on the “ order paper ” for debate Normally vote “ party lines ” on all legislation = “ Party Discipline ” “ Non Confidence Motion ” : Vote on whether the Gov ’ t has the support of the House of Commons Government defeat = election or new government

House of “ Commons Committees ” : Divided by policy area – do the work of the HoC Investigate issues, hold hearings, debate early legislation Important in parliamentary system? Not so much.... “ Filibuster ” : The use of delaying tactics to prevent government legislations from passing. E.g. An MP gives a never-ending speech “ Closure ” : A procedure that allows government to end debate on legislation with a majority vote E.g. Ends a filibuster “ Prorogation ” : The suspension or end of a Parliamentary session by the Governor General... At the request of the PM E.g. Ends all the fun and games....

ii) “ Senate ” : Upper chamber in Canada – appointed by the prime minister Terms last until age 75 – Good work if you can get it! Functions: “ Sober second thought ” – Senate can block HOC legislation Regional representation – All four major regions are allocated senators Central CanadaOntario = 24 Quebec= 24 Western CanadaManitoba = 6 Saskatchewan = 6 Alberta = 6 British Columbia = 6 Eastern CanadaNova Scotia = 10 New Brunswick = 10 Prince Edward Isl. = 4 Newfoundland = 6 Northern CanadaYukon = 1 Northw ’ t Territories = 1 Nunavut = 1

ii) “ Senate ” : PM can add 8 additional Senators anytime “ the Queen sees fit ” (?) E.g GST debate Who gets in? Former politicians, cabinet ministers and hockey players... How are they removed? Miss two entire sessions of parliament (!) Serious crime (!) Many senators can serve for thirty + years Activities? Similar organization to HoC – Committees etc Can engage in independent policy investigations Senators have larger office budgets than MP ’ s

ii) “ Senate ” : Views of the Senate? Public indifference – it just doesn ’ t matter However Senate can be influential –Informal – Banking legislation –Formal – Has blocked legislation –GST –Senate reform(!) Public hostility – calls for abolishment of Senate or reform E.g. “ Triple E ” Senate Alberta “ elected ” senators in 1989 and 2004

Parliamentary Systems Cont. B) Executive Functions “ Head of State ” : The head of all government institutions In parliamentary systems “ Head of State ” is mainly ceremonial “ Constitutional Monarchy ” : System where powers of monarch have been reduced to a largely symbolic role E.g. Head of state is either the Monarch or a representative of the Monarch Canadian Federal Government = “ Governor General ” Appointed for five year terms on recommendation of the PM Canadian Provinces = “ Lieutenant-Governor ” Appointed for five year terms on recommendation of the PM

Text emphasizes ceremonial responsibilities of Governor Generals... but they have real responsibility Interpret Constitutional Conventions regarding: Selection of prime ministers Should be leader of most popular party, but what if there is no clear winner... ? Calling of elections Should be when government is defeated or asks for an election, but it can be fuzzy... ?

Example: GG in practice... The “ King-Byng Affair ” ! Mackenzie King (Lib) was PM in minority government Conservatives had more seats Gov could not pass legislation Asked Governor General Lord Byng to call an election GG refused – invited the Conservatives to form a government! Byng was constitutionally correct, but this meant the GG was exercising power – turned out out to be unpopular move Controversy: Should we elect our Head of State?

The 2008 “Jean-Harper Affair”:

“ Head of Government ” :Prime minister Premiers (in Provinces) Chooses cabinet ministers Oversees “ Central Agencies ” : Organizations that coordinate government activity Privy Council Office Prime Ministers Office Treasury Board Department of Finance Oversee government administration Drafts legislation and Budgets Canadian PM is particularly powerful: Appoints: Judges, Senators, Cabinet ministers Dominates own party caucus = “ Executive Dominance ” : Little role for legislature in day to day operations of government

3)Conclusions on Parliamentary System: Key points: a) Government executive is formed from parliamentary caucus All ministers are either an MP or a Senator Ensures close link between executive and legislature Virtue: Government can always be questioned b) Conflicting Principles:

“Responsible Government”: Cabinet is responsible to the HoC Not the public! HoC can “throw out” a government “Party Discipline”: Ensures all MP’s vote along party lines Particularly strong in Canada E.g. Gov’t members rarely vote against gov’t bills =Little role for parliament in designing legislation =Little role for parliament in holding majority gov’ts accountable Just who is cabinet responsible too?