Government Structure

Legislative Branch
Parliament
Parliament = House of
Commons + Senate
House of Commons
Replica of British House of Commons
Contains 308 elected politicians (one from every riding
in Canada)

House of Commons
House of Commons
A fundamental distinction between MPs in the House is
whether they are members of the governing party or
one of the opposition parties
The largest of the opposition parties, currently the NDP,
are called the Official Opposition
Within the House of Commons there is also someone
deemed the Speaker.
This is essentially the individual who is responsible for
ensuring the MPs follow the rules when they are
questioning and debating within the House of
Commons (regular MP elected by the House)

House of Commons
In theory, it is the entire House of Commons who must
hold the executive accountable

This is done by supporting or withholding support on
votes with respect to major policy issues

Day to day, it is the job of these Members of Parliament
(MPs) to debate the bills proposed by the cabinet and
vote yes or no

Members of Parliament
Why is Party Solidarity so strong?
- 1. Responsible Government
- 2. Shared Ideologies
- 3. Generally agree with leader
- 4. Prospects of promotion
- 5. Prospects of other perks
- 6. Job security
Members of Parliament
QUESTION: If honest and meaningful
debate is not really the role of the House of
Commons in contemporary Canadian
politics, what is its role?
The Primary Purpose of the modern
parliament is to make the cabinet
accountable for its actions to the public

Members of Parliament
Holding the government to Account:
Question Period:
A daily 45-minute period in which the
opposition is allowed to ask questions of the
cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister and
they must provide an answer

Backbenchers
Definition: Since the front benches are reserved
for Cabinet members the other MPs are
considered the backbenchers. Their job is to vote
when and how their leaders tell them to.

Ways for Backbenchers to influence Parliament:
1.Membership on legislative Committees
2. Weekly Caucus Meeting
3. Private Members Bill



The Legitimation Phase
Defining Government:

A complex web of independent but inter-related
institutions:
The Crown
The Prime Minister
The Cabinet
The Civil Service

The Formal Executive

Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy:

Authority of the state is embodied in the British
Monarch, the King or Queen of Britain, who is also the
King or Queen of Canada

However, the power of the Crown is restrained by the
Constitution
The Queens Representative in Canada:
The Governor General: David Johnston


Two Central Roles:

1. Head of State:
Ceremonial

2. Guardian of Responsible Government
Ensuring the Executive Branch maintains confidence of
Legislative Branch
Three Reserve Powers:
1. Power to Appoint the Prime Minister
Selecting the person most likely to attain
confidence of the House of Commons
Election Results
- Conservative leader is current PM

Liberals: 78
Conservatives: 78
NDP: 78
Bloc: 74

Confidence requires support of 155 MPs

Who becomes Prime Minister?
Three Reserve Powers:
1. Power to Appoint the Prime Minister
Selecting the person most likely to attain confidence of
the House of Commons

GG would use his or her discretion

This is a substantial bit of political power
Three Reserve Powers:

2. The Power to dismiss a Prime Minister who attempts
to govern without the confidence of the House of
Commons
Three Reserve Powers:
3. The power to dissolve parliament and call an election

Govenor General will generally heed the advice of the
PMbut not always

The Political Executive

Centre of the policy-making process

In reality, it is the Cabinet that exercises executive
power
It also largely controls the legislative process

Fusion of Powers
In theory, this body is comprised on Members of
Parliament appointed by Governor General

In practice, these choices are made by the Prime
Minister
Prime Minister determines the size of cabinet

Generally between 25 and 40 members

Currently there are 37 members

To be appointed to Cabinet is basically the central goal
of all federal politicians
Responsibilities:

Every member is put in charge of a particular ministry
or department

The member becomes the top politician responsible for
public policy in his or her particular department or
jurisdiction
Prime or First minister is first minister of cabinet

Prime Ministers Power:

1. Advise the Governor General on the make-up of
cabinet
Control over character of Cabinet
Control over his or her Party

Prime Ministers Power:

2. Chair of Cabinet
Can essentially guide Cabinet decision-making
Central Agenda Setter in Canadian Politics


Prime Ministers Power:

3. Power to advise the Governor General with respect
to dissolution of parliament and holding of elections
Significant Partisan Advantage over other Parties


Prime Ministers Power:

4. Power to appoint top bureaucrats, judges, senators,
and even the Governor General

5. Canadas Chief Diplomat