I was wondering what is the difference between the Prime Minister and the Governor General? Who is more powerful and influential between these two?
Question about Canadian leadership (New to Canada)?
- Thread starter hongkongpoy
- Start date
The prime minister is elected and takes very important decisions. Very powerful and influential.
The governor is NOT elected and very rarely makes an important decision... Not particularly influential.
Oh yeah... and the Governor General represents our Head of State... her ''majesty'' ...ahem... the Queen of England. Believe it or not, Canada hasn't yet moved beyond monarchy.
I never understood how democracy and monarchy are supposed to be compatible... maybe you can explain it to me!
Re: Prime Minister–Governor General Relationship
Hey there, hongkongpoy.
The Governor General of Canada represents Her Majesty The Queen of Canada, the head of State of our nation. As such, the Governor General represents the personification of the Canadian State. The Governor General almost always acts on the advice of Her Excellency’s ministers; the only situations which would cause the Governor General to use the reserved powers of The Crown of Canada without such advice would invariably be during a constitutional crisis, or a crippled minority legislature.
The Prime Minister of Canada is appointed by the Governor General and, generally speaking, is a member of the House of Commons who can command a majority of voices (that is, the leader of the largest party, or the leader of a smaller party who can command a larger coalition, though this second option has only once been exercised). The prime minister, as the leader of the Government of Canada, has more political power than the Governor General (since the Governor General rarely takes it upon Her Excellency’s person to exercise discretion in the use of Government powers).
Constitutionally speaking, the Governor General has greater power than the prime minister. Practically speaking, the opposite is more often true.
Hey there, hongkongpoy.
The Governor General of Canada represents Her Majesty The Queen of Canada, the head of State of our nation. As such, the Governor General represents the personification of the Canadian State. The Governor General almost always acts on the advice of Her Excellency’s ministers; the only situations which would cause the Governor General to use the reserved powers of The Crown of Canada without such advice would invariably be during a constitutional crisis, or a crippled minority legislature.
The Prime Minister of Canada is appointed by the Governor General and, generally speaking, is a member of the House of Commons who can command a majority of voices (that is, the leader of the largest party, or the leader of a smaller party who can command a larger coalition, though this second option has only once been exercised). The prime minister, as the leader of the Government of Canada, has more political power than the Governor General (since the Governor General rarely takes it upon Her Excellency’s person to exercise discretion in the use of Government powers).
Constitutionally speaking, the Governor General has greater power than the prime minister. Practically speaking, the opposite is more often true.
Five
The opposite in Canada has always been true.
HongKongPoy
The GG is essentially a ceremonial head with no power. That person is appointed upon the recommendation of the PM. It is the PM who has all the power.
The opposite in Canada has always been true.
HongKongPoy
The GG is essentially a ceremonial head with no power. That person is appointed upon the recommendation of the PM. It is the PM who has all the power.
Re: Functions of the Governor General of Canada
Toro, the prime minister certainly does not “ha[ve] all the power”.
Governors General in Canada have refused to act on the advice of their prime ministers, and even as recently as the 38th Parliament of Canada, it was reported by her office that The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., the 26th Governor General of Canada was watching the minority legislature extremely closely for abuses by the previous Government of Canada that may have required Ms. Clarkson’s intervention.
Moreover, our Governors’ General reluctance to exercise their constitutional prerogatives does not in any way diminish the powers at their disposal. Our vice-regal representatives of The Queen has a vast armament of constitutional powers for use during an emergency, in order to protect and kick-start democracy where needed. (For example, if a prime minister acts in clear and flagrant violation of the Constitution Acts, 1867–1982—for example, refusing to advise the dissolution of the legislature once the five-year term has expired, the Governor General can quite simply fire the prime minister.)
The constitutional framework of Canada is quite clear.
Toro, the prime minister certainly does not “ha[ve] all the power”.
Governors General in Canada have refused to act on the advice of their prime ministers, and even as recently as the 38th Parliament of Canada, it was reported by her office that The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson P.C., C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., the 26th Governor General of Canada was watching the minority legislature extremely closely for abuses by the previous Government of Canada that may have required Ms. Clarkson’s intervention.
Moreover, our Governors’ General reluctance to exercise their constitutional prerogatives does not in any way diminish the powers at their disposal. Our vice-regal representatives of The Queen has a vast armament of constitutional powers for use during an emergency, in order to protect and kick-start democracy where needed. (For example, if a prime minister acts in clear and flagrant violation of the Constitution Acts, 1867–1982—for example, refusing to advise the dissolution of the legislature once the five-year term has expired, the Governor General can quite simply fire the prime minister.)
The constitutional framework of Canada is quite clear.
Hi Five, and HIGH FIVE!
You are completely correct, much to the chagrin of our silly republican friends.........
Then let me re-phrase.
The PM has most of the de facto power. The GG is de facto a judge during times of crises - which rarely occur in Canadian Parliament democracy - who is bound by rules and tradition. "Watching extremely closely" is not a particularly good example of the exercise of power.
Your explanation leaves the impression that the GG has more power than she really has. As I re-read it, I don't disagree with what you are saying except for the last line when it should read "almost always be true," as opposed to "more often then not." Rarely has the GG become involved in the exercise of power. That may seem like semantics, but I don't think it is to someone who is unfamiliar with the system.
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Re: Governor General’s Powers and Prerogatives
Hey there, Colpy!
Wherever a member would like more information about The Queen, The Crown, or the Governor General, or anything related thereto, I shall be there! It concerns me that so many citizens are so unaware, or so in denial, of the reserved powers of The Crown and the Governor General. For example, when we vote in the next general election, do citizens understand how the prime minister might continue to govern even if the Government loses its plurality in the Commons? Probably not.
Even if our governors general choose not to exercise their vice-regal prerogatives for the next century, it does not mean that their powers shall somehow dissipate. There may come a day when a prime minister is determined to abuse the powers of executive government and, on that day, when we need a constitutional safeguard to defend our democracy, let us hope that our citizens have not forgotten the post of the Governor General. (Even now, the Honourable the Senate of Canada is preparing to call for Her Excellency’s intervention on a rather serious issue.)
We are rather fortunate to have a non-partisan Governor General, to represent the head of State and to take part in such cultural and social events that a proxy-elected head of Government would never have the time, nor resources, to participate in. Though s_lone may wish this were not the case, Canada is a constitutional monarchy and Canadians should embrace this system of government which has developed for so many centuries, to serve us so well.
Hey there, Colpy!
Wherever a member would like more information about The Queen, The Crown, or the Governor General, or anything related thereto, I shall be there! It concerns me that so many citizens are so unaware, or so in denial, of the reserved powers of The Crown and the Governor General. For example, when we vote in the next general election, do citizens understand how the prime minister might continue to govern even if the Government loses its plurality in the Commons? Probably not.
Even if our governors general choose not to exercise their vice-regal prerogatives for the next century, it does not mean that their powers shall somehow dissipate. There may come a day when a prime minister is determined to abuse the powers of executive government and, on that day, when we need a constitutional safeguard to defend our democracy, let us hope that our citizens have not forgotten the post of the Governor General. (Even now, the Honourable the Senate of Canada is preparing to call for Her Excellency’s intervention on a rather serious issue.)
We are rather fortunate to have a non-partisan Governor General, to represent the head of State and to take part in such cultural and social events that a proxy-elected head of Government would never have the time, nor resources, to participate in. Though s_lone may wish this were not the case, Canada is a constitutional monarchy and Canadians should embrace this system of government which has developed for so many centuries, to serve us so well.