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The Executive

The Executive. Ceremony & Leadership Chapter 6. The Formal Executive. Crown – the composite symbol of the institutions of the state Reigning Monarch – currently Queen Elizabeth II, personal embodiment of the Crown

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The Executive

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  1. The Executive Ceremony & Leadership Chapter 6 MacLennan - 2004

  2. The Formal Executive • Crown – the composite symbol of the institutions of the state • Reigning Monarch – currently Queen Elizabeth II, personal embodiment of the Crown • Prerogative authority – powers of monarch or their representative that have not been bypassed by constitutional law MacLennan - 2004

  3. Monarch • The Monarch reigns, but does not govern. • Parliament and the political exec. Govern in the name of the Crown…but… • the powers of Monarch are severely limited. MacLennan - 2004

  4. Governor General and Lieutenant-Governors • Letters Patent – the prerogative instruments defining the office of the GG • The Sovereign applies these to each GG through a commission of appointment • GG is appointed by Queen on recommendation of the PM and Cabinet. • tenure of office is five to seven years • the term “Right Honourable” is assigned for life and “Excellency” for period in office. MacLennan - 2004

  5. Political Duties of Gov. Gen • The Letters Patent – provide the GG with all the powers of the Queen in “respect of summoning, proroguing or dissolving the Parliament of Canada.” • only the PM can ask for and obtain a dissolution of Parliament. (see Byng-King case of 1926 when the GG refused) • the GG appoints the Prime Minister MacLennan - 2004

  6. Lieut.-Governor • a Lieut.-Gov. is appointed by the governor-in-council on the advice of the PM in each province • the Lieut.-Gov. acts on the advice and with the assistance of ministry or Executive Council in their province • they are responsible to the legislature • Who is Manitoba’s current Lieut.-Gov? MacLennan - 2004

  7. The Political Executive • The PM is the central figure in Canadian politics • an elected member of Parliament chosen national leader of the party at a leadership convention • PM must be a member of the House of Commons • has the right to govern based on a popular mandate MacLennan - 2004

  8. Powers of the PM’s office • powerful and prestigious • PM and Cabinet control signing of treaties, international relations, declaration of war… • “power of dissolution” of Parliament can be used to maintain stability of Cabinet • can be a weapon if the gov’t is defeated on a major bill MacLennan - 2004

  9. more powers of PM • PM controls the organization of gov’t by appointing Cabinet, limiting portfolios, creating Crown corps, Royal Commissions, and so on… • PM chairs the Cabinet • controls appointments of all members of the ministry, eg: secretaries of state… • appoints parliamentary secretaries MacLennan - 2004

  10. the PM and Government • the PM and their selected ministers form the government • If the PM and gov’t no longer receive support, they are replaces, or Parliament is dissolved and an election is called • their power comes from maintaining a plurality of supporters in the H of C MacLennan - 2004

  11. History of the Cabinet • the modern cabinet originated in Britain in Middle Ages • It began with the Privy Council which was chosen by Monarch to give advice • gradually their powers increased & they began to reflect mood of H of C, not just Monarch’s wishes • during the 19th century, political parties began to emerge. MacLennan - 2004

  12. Queen’s Privy Council • it became beneficial to draw advisors from a party that could command a majority in the H of C12 • the advisors of PC came under the control of the Prime Minister MacLennan - 2004

  13. at Confederation, the Constitution established the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada to advise the GG. Today it’s ceremonial body appointed by PM for life. MacLennan - 2004

  14. Cabinet & Ministry • the ministry is all ministers appointed by PM – Former PM J. Chretien appointed 30 to ministry but only 22 to Cabinet • Cabinet is smaller body of most powerful ministers acts in name of Privy Council MacLennan - 2004

  15. Secretaries of State to Assist – answer to PC but don’t attend Cabinet meetings • Parliamentary secretaries – help ministers (under Chretien, each minister had one) MacLennan - 2004

  16. Central Agencies • The Cabinet is assisted by four central coordinating agencies: • The Prime Minister’s Office • the Privy Council Office (now includes the Federal-Provincial Relations Office) • the Treasury Board • the Department of Finance MacLennan - 2004

  17. The PMO • most overtly political central agency • personal appointees of the PM • largest and most important – rarely employs public servants • drafts Speech from the Throne • monitors political developments and their implications for PM’s career • technical, political advice and p.r. MacLennan - 2004

  18. The PCO • main organization supporting the cabinet and PM (300 officers/support staff) • Clerk of the Privy Council – top position in Canada’s civil service • Clerk coordinates Cabinet activities MacLennan - 2004

  19. PCO staffed by career bureaucrats • offer ministers objective advice, policy alternatives • ministers make final decisions MacLennan - 2004

  20. The Treasury Board • constitutionally, committee of Privy Council • separate government department • headed by cabinet minister and included five other ministers. One is always the Minister of Finance • reviews expenditures, annual budgets of all government departments MacLennan - 2004

  21. Treasury Board responsibilities • monitors requests for money, provides an overall budget for PM and cabinet • manages civil service personnel • exerts control over salaries and job classifications across the civil service MacLennan - 2004

  22. The Department of Finance • a regular government department, but the most politically sensitive • chief preoccupation is analyzing taxation policy • looks at the impact of gov’t activity on the economy • provides Cabinet with info on the performance of the economy MacLennan - 2004

  23. Department of Finance Concerns • The department’s major concerns are: • taxation policy • economic development • fiscal policy and economic analysis • international trade MacLennan - 2004

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