The Executive

Introduction

Executive Government in Canada

An overview of the Executive Arm of Government in Canada, including information on the major Conventions, the operation of the Executive Council, the work of Ministers and the Cabinet, ministerial behaviour and resignations.

Conventions

An explanation of the major conventions of Canadian executive government, including Ministerial Responsibility.

Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is the pivotal person in contemporary executive governments. The PM is the focus of public and media attention, and has immense power to shape the composition of the government and determine its policy directions.

The Cabinet

The Cabinet consists of all those Members of Parliament chosen by the Prime Minister. They serve as members of the executive arm of government and administer the various government departments.

Public Service

The Public Service is the administrative arm of the Executive Government, accountable to the relevant ministers and the Parliament. Also known as the bureaucracy, the maze of government departments and authorities is charged with the responsibility of advising the government of the day and implementing government and parliamentary decisions.