CANADAS GOVERNMENT, CONSTITUTION AND JUDICIARY
Canadians normally refer to the Government of Canada as “the Federal Government”. In the Constitution Act 1867, the powers and the structure of the Federal Government are set out.
HEAD OF STATE
Elizabeth I I as queen of Canada is Head of State and repository of executive power, which she normally does not exercise herself. The government acts in her name. Government ministers are ministers of the crown which is used to represent the power of the monarchy.
A governor general is appointed to represent the monarch and exercise her powers as she does not reside in Canada. This person is selected on the advice of the Prime Minister. The monarch is not held personally responsible by the decisions of the government, as long as she is following the advice of her ministers.
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
The Prime Minister is head of government and is appointed by the Governor General. The Prime Minister will always be the one who has the confidence of the House of Commons to lead the government. On many occasions, it is the largest party that forms a minority government. Currently it is the minority party who is the government of Canada
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The Prime minister holds office as long as he or she resigns or is removed by the Governor General. At the federal level Coalition governments are rare. During World War I Canada has had only one other coalition government, the Union government of Sir Robert Borden
A ‘cabinet’ is formed by the Prime minister who selects the ministers who head the various government departments. The Prime minister and most of his cabinet members are members of Parliament. .
The general elections can be held if the Commons passes a motion of no confidence in the government, where-in the Prime minister and his cabinets are expected to resign their offices or for parliament to be dissolved. Any adult Canadian is eligible for the jobs as cabinet ministers. Members can be elected as independents like the Progressive Conservative party and the Canadian Alliance party.
JUDICIARY
Criminal law is under federal jurisdiction, where as civil law is based on the common law of England, except in Quebec.Non-criminal legislations differ from province to province, however some non-criminal legislations like the ‘Federal Divorce Act’ is applicable throughout the nation. Federal, provincial and municipal courts administer justice.TheSupreme Court has nine justices, who is appointed by the Governor General and is led by the Chief Justice of Canada.Decicions rendered by the various courts from the provinces and territories are heard from the Supreme Court.
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