POLS211 – Module 8.1 Video Lecture Notes| Parliament I: Cabinet

A set of flashcards to help review key concepts and terms regarding the structure and function of the Cabinet in Canadian politics.

Cabinet

A body made up of ministers with the right to advise the governor general in the exercise of powers.

Cabinet Solidarity

Collective ministerial responsibility that allows private frankness but requires public support for government decisions.

Ministerial Responsibility

The personal responsibility of each cabinet member for a government department and their decisions.

Consensus

Agreement among the government's ministers that is critical for defending government actions.

Individual Ministerial Responsibility

The concept that each minister is accountable for their own actions and decisions.

Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests

Requests that are typically not applicable to cabinet documents, making access to them very limited.

Institutionalization

The process by which the cabinet’s operations have become more bureaucratic and formalized over time.

Representational Imperative

The unwritten expectation that a government must reflect the demographic makeup of its population.

Cabinet Size Change

The trend towards growth in the size of the Cabinet since Confederation, despite temporary periods of restraint.

Career Patterns of Ministers

Changing trends in the experience and tenure of ministers in cabinet roles over time.

Social Composition

The increasing inclusion of women and racialized Canadians in ministerial positions over time.

Key Groups and Representation

The importance of appointing ministers from various regions and demographic groups for effective representation.