Unit 6

Cabinet

A body of advisors to the Prime Minister, consisting of heads of government departments, who are responsible for the government's overall administration and policy decisions.

Policy Adoption

The process in which different levels of government make decisions regarding public policy.

Collective Ministerial Responsibility

The principle that members of the cabinet are collectively responsible for government policies and actions.

Individual Ministerial Responsibility

The principle that individual ministers are accountable for the actions and decisions of their respective departments.

Legislative Process

The series of steps through which a proposed bill becomes law, including readings, debates, and voting in parliament.

Question Period

A daily 45-minute session in the House of Commons where the opposition can question the government, emphasizing accountability.

Unitary System

A government structure where power is centralized in the national government, making policy adoption easier.

Federal System

A government structure that divides power between the federal government and sub-level governments, such as provinces, complicating policy adoption.

Ministerial Responsibility

The accountability of ministers for their departments and the overall government policies.

Responsible Government

A constitutional principle that requires the cabinet to maintain the confidence of elected representatives to remain in power.

Private Bills

Bills that are typically rare and confer powers to specific individuals or corporations, not dealing extensively with public policy.

Public Bills

Bills that pass regularly through the legislature, including government bills and private member bills related to public issues.

Decision-Making Process

The stage where issues are identified, responses formulated, and policies discussed before adoption.

Successful Adoption

When a proposed policy is formally approved and enacted.

Policy Abandonment

The decision not to proceed with a proposed policy before it is implemented.

Compromise and Bargaining

The process where policy designs are amended to satisfy opponents or incorporate new evidence during the adoption phase.

Administrative Responsibility

The accountability of bureaucrats to ensure they align with the legal or formal authority governing their actions.

Subjectively Responsible Bureaucrats

Bureaucrats who actively seek the public interest and balance multiple expectations beyond their superiors.

Objectively Responsible Bureaucrats

Bureaucrats whose focus is on adhering to authority and do not actively seek the views of other policy participants.

Bicameral Government

A parliamentary system consisting of two houses, an upper house (Senate) and a lower house (House of Commons), with equal legislative power.

First Reading

The initial stage in the legislative process where a bill is introduced and tabled in the House or Senate.

Royal Assent

The formal approval by the Governor General that turns a bill into law.