Canadian G'ment Question.

Right off the bat: What exactly does the Governor General do? Also, what’s his (her, actually; I believe the Governor General is Adrianne Clarkson, although I could be wrong) relationship with the Prime Minister?

And one more thing: are there term limits to these government positions? Is Jean Chrètien’s position secure for life? Can he be removed?

I ask because only recently did I found out just how different Canada’s government is compared to the US.

-El

A lot of the ceremonial things that the President does in the US: giving out awards, uttering platitudinous speeches, stumping the country, holding receptions for dignitaries, etc. The PM does a lot of this stuff, too, but also engages in electoral politics. The GG also does everything that the Queen is supposed on paper to do, but the GG doesn’t go out and do things like assent to legislation or issue proclamatiosn on her own; she acts on the advice of the Privy Council, for which read the Prime Minister’s Office.

Constitutionally or personally speaking? Can’t speak to teh latter, for the former, anywhere you see “Queen” in the constitution, you can safely read “GG”, though like I say, anything of substance is only done by the GG when the PMO tells her to. For some ceremonial functions, if the GG is out of town the Chief Justice takes over, then the puisne judges, in order of senioirity.

By custom, the vice-regals (GG and Lieutenant-Governor in the provinces) are five-year appointments, sometimes cut short voluntarily (as in the case of the last GG, Roméo Leblanc, who left early), sometimes extended for a couple of years (as in the case of Jeanne Sauvé). Otherwise, there are no US-style term limits federally or provincially, though the Ontario Tories are trying to impose them municipally in the newly amalgamated Ottawa municipality.

Mostly because the opposition is fragmented.

If his party putsches him as leader, or the electorate denies him at least a plurality of seats in the next election, yes.

A lot of the ceremonial things that the President does in the US: giving out awards, uttering platitudinous speeches, stumping the country, holding receptions for dignitaries, etc. The PM does a lot of this stuff, too, but also engages in electoral politics. The GG also does everything that the Queen is supposed on paper to do, but the GG doesn’t go out and do things like assent to legislation or issue proclamatiosn on her own; she acts on the advice of the Privy Council, for which read the Prime Minister’s Office.

Constitutionally or personally speaking? Can’t speak to teh latter, for the former, anywhere you see “Queen” in the constitution, you can safely read “GG”, though like I say, anything of substance is only done by the GG when the PMO tells her to. For some ceremonial functions, if the GG is out of town the Chief Justice takes over, then the puisne judges, in order of senioirity.

By custom, the vice-regals (GG and Lieutenant-Governor in the provinces) are five-year appointments, sometimes cut short voluntarily (as in the case of the last GG, Roméo Leblanc, who left early), sometimes extended for a couple of years (as in the case of Jeanne Sauvé). Otherwise, there are no US-style term limits federally or provincially, though the Ontario Tories are trying to impose them municipally in the newly amalgamated Ottawa municipality.

Mostly because the opposition is fragmented.

If his party putsches him as leader, or the electorate denies him at least a plurality of seats in the next election, yes.

A lot of the ceremonial things that the President does in the US: giving out awards, uttering platitudinous speeches, stumping the country, holding receptions for dignitaries, etc. The PM does a lot of this stuff, too, but also engages in electoral politics. The GG also does everything that the Queen is supposed on paper to do, but the GG doesn’t go out and do things like assent to legislation or issue proclamatiosn on her own; she acts on the advice of the Privy Council, for which read the Prime Minister’s Office.

Constitutionally or personally speaking? Can’t speak to teh latter, for the former, anywhere you see “Queen” in the constitution, you can safely read “GG”, though like I say, anything of substance is only done by the GG when the PMO tells her to. For some ceremonial functions, if the GG is out of town the Chief Justice takes over, then the puisne judges, in order of senioirity.

By custom, the vice-regals (GG and Lieutenant-Governor in the provinces) are five-year appointments, sometimes cut short voluntarily (as in the case of the last GG, Roméo Leblanc, who left early), sometimes extended for a couple of years (as in the case of Jeanne Sauvé). Otherwise, there are no US-style term limits federally or provincially, though the Ontario Tories are trying to impose them municipally in the newly amalgamated Ottawa municipality.

Mostly because the opposition is fragmented.

If his party putsches him as leader, or the electorate denies him at least a plurality of seats in the next election, yes.

  1. The head of state in Canada is Queen Elizabeth II; her role in Canada is played out by the Governor-General, who is, technically, the acting Head of State. The Governor-General performs such duties as assenting to legislation, operning and dissolving Parliament, etc. In case it hasn’t been mentioned the current GG is Adrienne Clarkson.

In actual fact, the Governor-General is a ceremonial post and has about as much real executive power as the Queen, which is to say none. The Governor-General does more or less anything they’re told to by the elected government, which makes sense because it’s the elected government that gives them the job in the first place.

  1. Jean Chretien is the Prime Minister, not the G-G, in case there’s any confusion there. He has been PM since 1993. His position’s no more secure than any other elected politician. As another poster has pointed out he’s riding high in the polls, but that stuff can change fast, so you never know. Chretien is an elected legislator and was elected leader of his party, which is what makes him PM. On paper he’s similar to the House Majority Leader. On paper, that is.

One thing to note is that like the late lamented Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, a PM could theoretically lose his job without being voted out of the PM’s office by his party. If the party decided to nominate another leader, he’s just another MP and there’s a new PM. I can’t think of any PMs this has happened to, but sometimes when PMs retire a new one is named party leader, thus giving Canada a Prime Minister who was not elected AS a Prime Minister (but who was elected to the House of Commons, at least.) Jean Chretien’s predecessor, Kim Campbell, as such a PM; she was named party leader of the Progressive Conservatives after Brian Mulroney resigned. These PMs have a long track record of getting annihilated in the following election, suggesting that the guys who retired did so at just the right time.

The primary difference between the United States and Canada is in the separation of the executive and legislative powers. In the U.S., the legislative power (Congress) and executive power (The President) are separate and, as we’ve seen, often in conflict. They check on another. In Canada, the executive power on paper (the G-G) is meaningless; real executive power is held by the Prime Minister and the governing party, which of course is ALSO the legislative body. Consequently, there’s less check on what the Prime Minister and his government can do, until it hits the judicial system. Were the governor-general to try to overturn the decisions of an elected government… well, that would be a bad idea.

Okay, I heard you the first time! Sheesh.

Just a recap: The Governor General is esentially a proxy for the Queen, although s/he does whatever s/he’s told to do by the Prime Minister or Privy Council. All you have to do, basically, is look pretty? Sounds like a kick ass job. At least for five years, unless you’re really pretty and they ask you to stay for a couple more years.

The Prime Minister on the other hand, wields all the power, in a sense. His/Her position is very secure, as long as he doesn’t piss off the party that put him/her into power (or does something silly, like, say, have an affair with an intern).

Another question: Can I become Prime Minister? I’m American, but believe that with my job skills and experience, as well as a wonderful short term memory, I would be able to pass Canada’s citizenship exam and become a Canadian citizen. I know that in America, at least, it would take a Constitutional Amendment in order for someone like, say, Arnold Schwarzennegger to be able to run for office. Are the rules any different North of the border?

-El

Okay, I heard you the first time! Sheesh.

Just a recap: The Governor General is esentially a proxy for the Queen, although s/he does whatever s/he’s told to do by the Prime Minister or Privy Council. All you have to do, basically, is look pretty? Sounds like a kick ass job. At least for five years, unless you’re really pretty and they ask you to stay for a couple more years.

The Prime Minister on the other hand, wields all the power, in a sense. His/Her position is very secure, as long as he doesn’t piss off the party that put him/her into power (or does something silly, like, say, have an affair with an intern).

Another question: Can I become Prime Minister? I’m American, but believe that with my job skills and experience, as well as a wonderful short term memory, I would be able to pass Canada’s citizenship exam and become a Canadian citizen. I know that in America, at least, it would take a Constitutional Amendment in order for someone like, say, Arnold Schwarzennegger to be able to run for office. Are the rules any different North of the border?

-El

Damn double-post! I mean, it’s always good to make mistakes when pointing out the mistakes of others… jeez. What you must think of me.
:slight_smile:

-El

Schwarzennegger for president? I guess we can be glad that nobody will be changing that clause in the constitution any time soon.

In fact, he should just be sent back to Austria, maybe he can run for office there. In that particular case, it could only make things better.

Any Canadian citizen can hold office. So if you emigrate from the USA and become a Canadian, you could technically become Prime Minister.

Canadian politics being what they are, though, you either have to get elected to Parliament first and work your way up the ranks through being an MP to being a Cabinet minister to being the leader of the party and THEN winning an election (this is how Jean Chretien did it) or you have to be an awfully big name in the party, get elected leader, and then run in your first election and then win your seat AND have your party win (like Brian Mulroney did.)

To boot, if you want to win an election, it helps to have lost the bid for your party’s leadership as least once (as both Chretien and Mulroney did) so that people don’t think you’re some Johnny-come-lately. The Canadian public prefers someone whose dorkness is a known quantity, rather than a person of unknown dorkitude.

So you really should put in at least ten years in the poltiical trenches. If you luck out and become a party leader too early, you’ll get absolutely stomped in the election, like Kim Campbell. You need to get up here right away and start your political career.

and the exception that proves the rule: Joe Clark, 1979.

another hijack (i do this alot lately):

Ah-nold, as a Naturalized Citizen (i.e. became one rather than was born one) COULD hold just about any elected or appointed office EXCEPT for the President and Vice-President, which are the only two positions that require someone to be born a U.S. citizen.

Two examples: Madelaine Albright and Henry Kissinger, both legally appointed to VERY key cabinet posts (Sec’y of State) even though neither was born a U.S. citizen. I’m at a loss right now as to any elected officials not born U.S. citizens, but I’m sure there are some

end of hijack, go back to your regularly scheduled canadian question.

Before anyone asks: No, Albright or Kissinger could not become president through succession. If the Serbs, in revenge for the war, team up with Elian Gonzalez’ evil Miami relatives and kill both President Clinton and V.P. Gore, then both Albright and Kissenger would be skipped in the line of succession.

Okay. Another thing. In America we like to tote the line: “Any one can grow up to be President of the United States.” But really, as long as you’re white, rich, a man, decently good looking, and Christian, sure, “anyone” can become the President. Is this the case in Canada?

Does a Canadian politician have to have these same “pre-requisites”? Or can anyone (truly anyone) become the Prime Minister? Plus, would I get flak for being an American who became a Canadian citizen, or wouldn’t it matter if I was born there or not, in terms of political attack? Has there ever been a PM not born in Canada? Thanks.

On a side note (and I’m not sure where I heard this, but it was most likely here on the SDMB), there was a poll taken back in the early 60’s (before Kennedy was shot) of housewives. They were asked what they would rather have their child grow up to be: A politician, or the President of the United States. The percentage was something in the high 90’s for “becoming the President.” Just thought that was funny.

-El

While it’s technically true that anyone can be the PM, the vast majority have been dorky white males. One exception, Kim Campbell (a dorky white woman) was PM briefly after Brian Mulroney resigned. She got her butt kicked in the ensuing election.

It seems to me that the only time a politician’s religious affiliation is brought up is when he or she brings it up (Preston Manning, for example). We just don’t seem to care about it.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Premier of BC is an Indian-born Sikh, Ujjal Dosanjh. We are expecting an election soon, and he is doing quite well in the polls (his party, the NDP, is thankfully not doing well at all and most likely won’t be back in power). So we’re not averse to having a non-dorky white male in power, it just hasn’t happened yet.

Like RickJay said, it takes a lot of slogging in the political trenches to become PM, so it will take some time before things change.

He’s only secure as the next election. Section 4 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms requires that there be elections to the House of Commons at least once every 5 years. In practice, the Government dissolves Parliament earlier, usually around the 4 year mark. Since our last federal election was in the spring of 1997, there’s already speculation whether the election will be called for the fall of this year, or the spring of 2001.

At the election, if Mr. Chrétien wants to stay as PM, he must run in a constituency and be personally re-elected to the Commons. As well, his party must obtain sufficient seats to maintain control of the Commons, either by an absolute majority of the seats, or a large enough number that it can form a government with the support of another party. (Note that you won’t find either of these two requirements written down in the Constitution. In fact, you won’t even find any definition of the office of the Prime Minister. These principles are all parts of the unwritten constitutional conventions that we inherited from the U.K.)

There are no term limits on holding the office of Prime Minister, nor for being a member of the House of Commons. The issue doesn’t arise, because in Canada you can’t split your vote the way you can in the U.S. (e.g. vote democrat in the presidential elections, republican in the congressional elections.)

You only have one vote, for your local M.P. If you like what the government’s been doing, you might vote for the candidate of that party. If you don’t, you vote for the candidate of some other party. (There are currently 5 parties represented in the Commons: Liberals (in government), Canadian Alliance (official opposition), Bloc Québécois, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic Party.)

This means that there are no “safe seats” in the way there are in the U.S. A very popular local M.P. may get voted out because most of the voters in that riding decide to vote for another party. Usually, in every election, several Cabinet ministers, the big mucky-mucks of the party, go down to defeat in their own riding (the equivalent of Newt, the House Majority leader, or the chairs of the major Congressional committees losing their seats). On rare occasions, even the Prime Minister loses his own seat, even though the party may return a majority. The last time that happened, to Prime Minister Mackenzie King, another Liberal M.P. resigned his seat and King ran in it. He was elected in that riding.

Overall, the electoral system means that we just don’t have lots of long-serving M.P.s like you do in Congress, and so the issue of term limits doesn’t arise. (Mr. Chrétien is a bit of an exception to this average, having been in Parliament for most of the last 35 years, but there are not many others like him.)

One other point: although Prime Ministers Turner and Campbell were not great successes when they took over the job, that is a relatively recent phenomenon. Prime Minister St. Laurent took over from King in 1947, and won two elections. Prime Minister Trudeau took over from Prime Minister Pearson in 1968, and won the next 3 elections (admittedly, 1972 was a squeaker). He stayed in office for 11 years after taking over, and then 4 more years after the Clark blip in '79.

Ever been to Westmount? There are numerous safe Liberal and BQ seats in Quebec, very safe Reform/CA seats in the west, Saint John NB is almost genetically Tory, as is St. John’s NF, one of the Windsor ridings has had the same MP (Herb Gray) since the 1960s, and there are still a few class of 72 and 74 MPs mulling about.

I think the longevity factor, at least with the exception of 1993, is very similar in the House of Commons and the House of Representatives.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/36/refmat/library/Asp/Parl30.asp

Until recently (a few having gone on to appointments in the Senate or elsewhere) there were a good number. There are MPs in the BQ and Reform who will be returned for their ridings in Quebec, Alberta, and BC for as long as they want the job.