The Executive Branch of Government in Canada Douglas Brown Pol Sci 220 St Francis Xavier University

Three Branches of Government Executive Branch: Queen or her representative Queen or her representative Prime Minister and Cabinet Prime Minister and Cabinet Public service Public service Legislative Branch: Senate – appointed by PM, according to “region” Senate – appointed by PM, according to “region” House of Commons --elected in 304 federal districts House of Commons --elected in 304 federal districtsJudiciary: Appointed by Cabinet Appointed by Cabinet

Comparing Canadian and American Executives System:Selection: Term and Removal: Powers: US President Competition in expensive primaries Electoral college of state-wide votes Fixed four-year term (max. 2 terms) Head of State Commander-in- chief of Forces Head of Executive depts Canadian PM Ordinary MP Chosen leader by party convention Can assume office directly Unlimited terms Must maintain confidence of Parliament Head of Government Normally controls legislative agenda

Role of the Crown Historic and Personal Link to British Royal Family Ceremonial Powers as Head of State Executive Power exercised in the name and in the form of the Crown “Crown prerogatives” – includes power to appoint persons to public office (judges, Senators, senior officials) Reserve Powers: used only rarely if ever, e.g. choosing who is to from a government in case of deadlock or confusion.

Responsible Government The original conflict: Crown and Council Vs. Legislative Assemblies Current Conventions (i.e. established practices): confidence of a majority in the lower House confidence of a majority in the lower House Ministers responsible to Parliament, answerable in the House of Commons Ministers responsible to Parliament, answerable in the House of Commons taxation by parliamentary authority alone taxation by parliamentary authority alone party discipline (especially strong in Canada) party discipline (especially strong in Canada)

Cabinet Government in Canada What Cabinet Ministers Do: Collective Responsibility Collective Responsibility Heads of Departments / Portfolios Heads of Departments / Portfolios Represent their Region, Language or Ethnic Group, Economic Interest, Gender, etc. Represent their Region, Language or Ethnic Group, Economic Interest, Gender, etc. Consensus Decision-Making Consensus Decision-Making Meet in Committees Meet in Committees

The Prime Minister’s Role “Prime Inter Pares”…or more than that? Leader of Party, leader of election campaign Appoints cabinet Articulates cabinet consensus Has the power of patronage Head of Government (PCO, PMO) Appoints Deputy Ministers Appoints Deputy Ministers

Savoie’s “Court” Government Thesis Increasing concentration of Prime Ministerial power due to: national unity, fiscal crisis concerns national unity, fiscal crisis concerns global leadership requirements global leadership requirements media focus on leaders media focus on leaders use of pollsters, lobbyists use of pollsters, lobbyists growth of PCO/PMO power growth of PCO/PMO power decline in Cabinet as decision-maker decline in Cabinet as decision-maker