Chapter 9 Chapter Overview

This chapter examines the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, key parts of the machinery of the Canadian national government. Some institutions within these branches seem to perform no useful function, while others are very influential and seem to possess too much power. The governor general, who acts on behalf of the monarch, performs mostly symbolic functions. Still, recent political events have involved the governor general and demonstrated the need for an understanding of the position in relation to the prime minister.

The political executive, on the other hand, possesses considerable power and has gained that power at the detriment of the legislative branch. The prime minister along with the cabinet, make all key policy decisions and determine the timing of elections. Cabinet is a significant institution for study due to its evolving nature and influential place in the Canadian political system. Regardless, much of our attention is focused on the power of the prime minister, who makes key personnel appointments, including judges, deputy ministers, and cabinet members. Democratic deficit has become an important issue, mainly due to concern over the overwhelming power concentrated in the hands of the prime minister.

Parliament consists of the elected House of Commons and the unelected Senate, and is primarily responsible for the passage of laws. The law-making process involves several stages and parliamentarians have a number of opportunities for debate on bills that come before them. While the legislative branch’s influence may have waned, it still plays an important role. Members of parliament perform work and debate issues in committees, Question Period, and caucus meetings, but most of their time is devoted to constituency work. Many analysts point to their lack of influence relative to the prime minister and cabinet. The unelected Senate is limited in its capacity to have influence in the legislative process due to a lack of legitimacy. The central agencies support the decision-making activities of the political executive. As centralization of power continues in Ottawa, more and more attention is paid to the workings of central agencies in the federal government.

Finally, the judiciary also possesses considerable power with the ability to strike down laws passed by legislatures when they are deemed to violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Since 1982 and the introduction of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, many have argued that the courts have played a much more prominent role in policy-making in Canada.