The Executive in Canada: PLSC 2231

Flashcards covering key concepts and terminology related to the executive branch as discussed in the lecture notes.

Formal Executive

Comprised of the King, Governor General, and King’s Privy Council; holds constitutional power of the executive.

Governor General

Represents the Crown, signs Royal Assent to bills, and holds prerogative powers, acting on advice of the PM.

Prerogative Powers

Powers not explicitly addressed in the constitution, exercised by the Crown's representative.

Political Executive

Includes the Prime Minister and Cabinet, exercising power on behalf of the Crown.

Cabinet Solidarity

Forbids public disagreements within the cabinet; essential for maintaining government unity.

Ministerial Responsibility

Principle that ministers are individually accountable for their departments' actions in Parliament.

Court Government

A centralized executive model where the Prime Minister dominates cabinet decision-making.

Westminster Model

A system where the real executive power lies in the Cabinet, also referred to as the 'Governor in Council'.

Political Legacy

The impact of historical decisions and actions made by political leaders on present governance.

Committee of Cabinet

A group that advises the Crown and includes former members of the federal cabinet.

Dissolution of Parliament

The action taken by the Governor General on the advice of the PM to end a parliamentary session.

Confidence Convention

The principle that the government must maintain the confidence of the majority in Parliament.

Sovereignty

The ultimate authority in governance, derived from the Crown in Canada, contrasting with popular sovereignty in the U.S.

Ministerial Accountability

The expectation that ministers justify actions and decisions regarding their departmental management.

Electoral District Factors

Factors such as margin of victory and urbanity that influence cabinet appointments.