two choices. It can resign, in which case the
a fresh election. For instance, if an election
Governor General or lieutenant-governor will
gave no party a clear majority and the prime
call on the leader of the largest opposition party
minister asked for a fresh election without
to form a cabinet. Or the cabinet already in
even allowing the new Parliament to meet, the
offi
ce can choose to stay in offi
ce and meet the
Governor General would have to say no. This
newly elected House ? which, however, it must
is because, if ?parliamentary government? is
do promptly. In either case, it is the people?s
to mean anything, a newly elected House of
representatives in the newly elected House who
Commons must at least be allowed to meet and
will decide whether the ?minority? government
see whether it can transact public business.
(one whose own party has fewer than half the
Also, if a minority government is defeated on
seats) shall stay in offi
ce or be thrown out.
a motion of want of confi dence very early in
the fi rst session of a new Parliament, and there
If a cabinet is defeated in the House of
is a reasonable possibility that a government
Commons on a motion of censure or want of
of another party can be formed and get the
confi dence, the cabinet must either resign (the
support of the House of Commons, then the
Governor General will then ask the leader of the
Governor General could refuse the request
Opposition to form a new cabinet) or ask for a
for a fresh election. The same is true for the
dissolution of Parliament and a fresh election.
lieutenant-governors of the provinces.
Canada, 2010
?
?
?
?
Canada, 1867
1. Ontario
3. New Brunswick
2. Quebec
4. Nova Scotia
4
Parliamentary Government
No elected person in Canada above the rank of
minister at once. A prime minister who resigns
mayor really has a fi xed term of offi
ce. Recent
has no right to advise the governor as to a
legislation in several provinces and territories,
successor unless asked; even then, the advice
as well as a May 2007 act of Parliament, provide
need not be followed. If he or she resigns
for general elections to be held on a fi xed date
because of defeat, the governor must call on the
every four years under most circumstances.
leader of the Opposition to form a government.
In practice this means that the expected term
If the prime minister dies, or resigns for personal
of offi
ce for a member of Parliament (or of
reasons, then the governor consults leading
a legislature with a fi xed date law) would
members of the majority party as to who will
normally be four years. However, the Governor
most likely be able to form a government that
General?s power to dissolve Parliament is not
can command a majority in the House. The
aff ected by the fi xed date legislation. The prime
governor then calls on the person he or she has
