Role of Cabinet in Bc

Definition of Cabinet: o “the Buckle” that binds together the legislative and executive branches o Cabinet described as the “key engine” of the state b/c most legislation is passed through the Cabinet o Cabinet the body that makes the key decisions about the state o Central aspect of modern Canadian gov’t o Constitute a fusion of powers between the executive and the legislative branches of gov’t o US – separation of power, legislative and executive powers are separated o Cabinet are made up of MPs and inside legislative o Majority in gov’t side, Cabinet and backbenchers, one can be sure that the decisions by the gov’t or Cabinet will be supported by the majority means executive and legislative branches are making decisions at the same time = fusion of powers o Cabinet is the body that executes the decisions that are taken o House of commons pass the legislation and be responsible for the authority behind the legislation o House doesn’t actually carry it out – don’t give directions to the bureaucrat, manage the finances → that happens in the Cabinet o Cabinet that executes the legislation that has been put in place o Cabinet is the gov’t – engine of the state o Parliament is a different concept o MP on the opp. Side is not in Cabinet and therefore not on gov’t side. o We tend to use the terms interchangeably and sometimes develop confusion o Precise: Cabinet as the gov’t and the bureaucracy it directs and Parliament or the House of Commons o MP is not a member of gov’t o Member of Cabinet is a member of gov’t o BUT WE TEND TO USE THEM INTERCHANGEABLY

COMPOSITION: o Members of Cabinet must be drawn from the House o BUT THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS o Possibly for PM to appoint someone to the Cabinet from the Senate o Periodically, what happens is that the PM will decide that there is someone that he wants as a member of Cabinet but who is not a member of Parliament o Despite responsible gov’t, appointing someone to Cabinet from the House, it