Parliament Flashcards
Institutions of the Canadian State
Constitution - charter
Federalism
Parliament
- crown
- senate
- commons
Executive
- PM
- Cabinet
Public service
Crown
S. 9 BNA: Executive power vested in Queen
S. 41 (a) Constitution Act 1982 change requires Unanimity
-every province and the fed HofC must agree before any changes are made
GG represents British Monarch
Canadian attitudes split on subject
- whether we should have a crown or not
- doesn’t really matter because the constitutionally methods to get rid of it would be too much
- Quebec is least fond of the British Monarchy
The Executive: Major Theme
Executives are the organizational centre of political systems
Executives have two sets of duties:
1. The performance of ceremonial duties (performed by GG)
- The provision of political leadership
- performed by PM and Cabinet
The Executive Branch
Executive - responsible for implementing the laws made by the legislature
head of state
- symbolizes the unity of the state
- queen of GG representing the queen
- U.S = president
The constitution
-Mat give a head of state important and effective political powers
Ceremonial Executive
Parliamentary govt separates head of state and head of govt
Head of state (GG0 performs ceremonial functions as well as political ones
- divorced from electoral or partisan motivations
- unifying symbol
- Guardian of constitution
The formal executive in Canada: the GG
Julie Payette was appointed in 2017
- represents monarch - formal head of state
- appointed position; alternates between English and French
- GG has little to no practical input into politics
- Many ceremonial duties
- Following British tradition GG (the queen) must follow advice of advisors
The monarch is represented in each province by a Leftenant-governor
Appointment of GG
1867-1890 solely British colonial office
1890-1926 British Colonial office in Consultation
1926 PM recommendation to Queen
Removal of GG
5 year term - often extended with the mutual acceptance
Terminated by Queen
-Position of GG can be terminated by the queen at any point
Who are the GG: British
modest royal dissent
soldiers
ex: politicians
who are the GG: Canadians
Former politicians
- usually politicians, usually partisan links to PM
- Prominent public profile
Roles of GG: Ceremonial
Ceremonial Role
- order of Canada invesitnres, reception of ambassadors, diplomatic relations and credentials, exhibitions, cornerstones, entertainment
Roles of the GG: Political
Royal assent
Appoint PM - Role diminished over time
Dismiss PM
- Corruption
- Election results
- dissolution
- appointments
- advise
GG political role: prorogation 2008
Following fall fiscal update
-notice of Liberal NDP coalition, backed by Bloc ready to defeat govt and become new govt
- conservatives ask GG to prorogue parliament
- Availability of Alternative govt
- Appropriateness of conservative request
- GG grants Conservative request
The Westminster Model
Parliamentary system based on British Example
Includes 3 bodies: the HofC, the senate, the crown
responsible govt
representative democracy
executive must maintain the confidence of the house
Responsible govt
political executive based in the lower house and responsible to it
Representative govt
House of commons is the repository of popular sovereignty
Senate
Sectional representation
- us model
- federalism
Check on democracy
-British model: house of lords
Composition
- federal sectional equality
- Check on democracy: property, over 30, secure tenure
Appointment PM
Limits on Senate Role
Cannot introduce money bills
suspensive Constitutional Veto
Not a confidence chamber
Senators Historical:
- Partisan
- Business
- Men
Senate in Practise
Private Bills
Clean up legislation
Investigative work
Conflict with House
- Split control
- Popular support
Conflict resolution
- Additional senators
- free conference
How are the members appointed to the advisory board
The governor in Council, on the recommendation of the PM, appoints the Advisory Board Members.
Consultations with provincial or territorial govts are undertaken in order to inform the appointment of provincial or territorial members
How long is each Advisory Board member’s term
Federal members of the Advisory Board each serve two-year terms and the provincial or territorial members each serve one-year terms