this post was submitted on 21 Apr 2025
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What keeps Canada democratic—and independent? Readers asked. We answered. (www.thecoast.ca)
submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago (3 children)

A Prime Minister might be considered to have more power than an American president because they control government’s legislative arm (the House of Commons). But that legislative body can also choose to eject the Prime Minister at any moment, whereas a President has four years of almost guaranteed power.

That would be a vote of non-confidence right? That can only happen when Parliament is sitting, and (AFAIU) the PM can prorogue Parliament at any time (with the rubber stamp of the Governor General). It looks like Parliament must sit once every 12 months, but I'm not clear if random motions can be presented during those sittings.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago (2 children)

They can prorogue, but an important distinction is that no legislation can be brought before Parliament if its not sitting. So there is a limit on a government while prorogued.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

True. I guess the question is what can a PM accomplish without legislation?

I'm surprised what a US president can do with executive orders. I don't know if prime ministers have similar power.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago

I think the equivalent in Canada would be an order-in-council, which is reserved for the GG rather than the PM (and therefore is normally never used). Technically, the US President's function in government is most similar to the GG's in Canada, but for historical reasons the duty of being the public face of Canada to outsiders has landed on the PM here even though the PM is not really our head of state.