Canada is a constitutional monarchy, where all the supreme power is in the hands of the Queen of Great Britain. In fact, the state is governed by the Prime Minister of Canada, whose status and powers go far beyond the scope of the nominal head of government. The Cabinet is a committee of the Queen’s Privy Council and the highest echelon of the Ministry. These subjects are the most significant in governing the country and are endowed with substantial powers.
Gradually, the figure of the Prime Minister became quite special and took a leading role. “The head of government is powerful,” he selects members of the government, makes a list of them, with the submission of the Prime Minister, they are confirmed in their posts. (Brodie, 2018, p. 23) At the request and the behest of the head of government, government members can be dismissed. Comparing the government apparatus of Great Britain and Canada, in Canada, the ordinary person has the opportunity to get into the leading positions of the state. In Great Britain, the PM and the Cabinet are appointed by the monarch. This creates a certain amount of accessibility and the ability to influence the decisions of the dominant figures.
On the example of the second minister, Alexander Mackenzie, the full exploitation of his powers as head of government is observed. His tenure was marked by the Great Depression, with which Mackenzie was unable to combat and improve the situation. Some of his policies, including free trade, have failed to bolster the economy. The Prime Minister, assuming office and receiving all the powers of his position, actively began to transform the system, guided by his convictions, did not justify himself.
To conclude, over the past half-century, the importance of the PM has increased. Many decisions and laws are made not by the Cabinet but by the head of government alone. Despite the fact that voters elect deputies to the House of Commons, an instrument of the legislature. It would seem impossible to somehow influence the decisions made by the executive branch. Everyone can become the Prime Minister and change the fate of the state.
Reference
Brodie, I. (2018). At the centre of government: The Prime Minister and the limits on political power. McGill-Queen’s Press-MQUP.