Social Studies 10 Lessons 📖

By: Gen L.

In partnership with Hyperion University, 2023

Lesson 3: The Executive Branch

Components of the Branch:

Carries out the business and laws of Canada

  • King
    • Govenor General
  • The Prime Minister
    • Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
      • Cabinet
      • Pubic Service (Bureaucracy)

The King & The Govenor General

  • Role is purely ceremonial
  • Serves as "source" of power and authority, giving legitimacy to the Branch.

The Prime Minister

  • Undisputed Head of Decision Making in federal government, provides overall direction for the government.
  • Associated with Four Powers (DOLA Powers)
    • Appointment - appoints senators, cabinet members and other senior positions.
    • Government Organisation - chooses composition & organisation of departments
    • Party Leadership - Leads the Party
    • Dissolution - Able to end session of Parliament

Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

  • Helps Prime Minister to carry out duties
  • Carries out routine duties, such as correspondence and scheduling, but also contains PM's top advisors
  • Principal Secretary is the most important post
  • The PM is often criticized for appointing friends or supporters to important posts.
  • This is known as "Patronage". Although questionable, it's within their power.

The Cabinet

  • A collection of MP's chosen by the Prime Minister.
  • The PM considers many factors (ability, diversity, regional representation, etc.) to have a balanced and effective cabinet.
  • Members appointed are called Ministers.
  • Each minister has a Deputy Minister. These aren't elected officials, but are the Top Public Servant in their department.
  • Ministers are often given responsibility from a gov't dept. or area of policy (their "portfolio").

Cabinet Meetings

  • Cabinet Ministers meet with the PM in closed door sessions to debate policy.
  • Are held with understanding of two traditional conditions: Secrecy & Solidarity.
  • Secrecy: Anything said is said in confidence (confidential)
  • Solidarity: All are expected to support policy once policy is decided.
  • Some policy can become laws in these meetings. These "Orders in Council" work within existing law.

Bureaucracy

  • Does the work of the Government, the Public Service
  • There are Four Types:
    • Government Departments (i.e. Justice, Defence, etc.)
    • Crown Corporations (i.e. VIA Rail, The CBC, etc.)
    • Regulatory Agencies (i.e. Environment Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, etc.)
    • Advisory Boards (i.e. Forest Research, Recreational Boating, etc.)

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