|
Strictly speaking, the Prime Minister and Cabinet are the advisers of the monarch. De facto power, however, lies with the Cabinet, and the head of state (the Governor General) acts on its advice. Cabinet develops government policy and is responsible to the House of Commons. The Government of Canada, headed by its Cabinet of some 25 ministers, performs its duties through the intermediary of the federal departments and agencies, special boards, commissions and state-owned corporations.
-------The Monarchy
From the days of French colonization and British rule to today's self-government, Canadians have lived under a monarchy. Although Canada had been a self-governing "Dominion" in the British Empire since 1867, full independence for Canada, was only established in 1931 by the Statute of Westminster.
Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, is also Canada's Queen, and sovereign of a number of other realms. In her capacity as Queen of Canada, she delegates her powers to a Canadian Governor General. Canada is thus a constitutional monarchy: the Queen reigns but does not govern.
-------Political Development
Canada, which had been a self-governing colony in 1867, rose to the status of an independent state after its participation in the First World War and achieved legal independence with the Statute of Westminster in 1931. The Constitution of 1867 had one serious flaw: it contained no general formula for constitutional amendment. It was necessary to address the British Parliament in London each time the founding statute needed change.
An amending formula should have been included in the Constitution at the time of the coming into force of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, but it was not until November 1981, after numerous attempts, that the federal government and the provinces (except Quebec) agreed to the amending formula that is now part of the Constitution Act, 1982. Since that time, the Constitution can be amended only in Canada.
| 
