Cabinet of Canada

The Cabinet of Canada is one of the most important parts of the Canadian government.

The cabinet has immense amounts of power in the Canadian system, with a fairly weak legislature almost all bills proposed by the Cabinet are ennacted. It is within Cabinet that many of the most important debates on Canadian policy take place. All cabinet meetings are held behind closed doors and the minutes are kept confidential for thirty years. Cabinet members are forbiden from discussing what occurs in cabinet meetings, and once a decision is made all Cabinet members must publicly support the decision. If any of these rules are violated the Minster will be removed by the Prime Minister. If the disagrement within the cabinet is strong a minister may resign, as John Napier Turner did.

Nominally appointed by the Governor General the Cabinet is in practice selected by the Prime Minister. The selection of a cabinet is a n extremely complex affair. There are a large number of conventions that must be met. There must be a minister from each province in Canada, with a member taken from the Senate if there are no available Members of Parliament. Visible minorites must be represented and as many women as possible should be included. Interst groups that support the government also need to be appeased. Each member of the the governing party desires a cabinet position and there all always some members that feel embittered at being passed over. The most recent example of this is John Nunziata.

The number of ministers and their titles is selected by the Prime Minister. Throughout the 20th century Cabinets had been expanding in size until Brian Mulroney's government had over forty ministers. Jean Chretien dramtically cut this number merging several ministries.

Different ministires have widely varying levels of prestige. Unquestionably the most imortant minister is the Minister of Finance. Other high profile ministries include Defence, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Health, and the Environment.

Current Portfolios

• Prime Ministers of Canada
• Deputy Prime Ministers of Canada
• Ministers of Agriculture
• Ministers of Canadian Heritage
• Ministers of Citizenship and Immigration
• Ministers of the Environment
• Ministers of Finance
• Ministers of Fisheries and Oceans
• Ministers of Foreign Affairs
• Ministers of Health
• Ministers of Human Resources Development
• Ministers of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
• Ministers of Industry
• Ministers of Intergovernmental Affairs and Presidents of the Privy Council
• Ministers for International Cooperation
• Ministers for International Trade
• Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General
• Ministers of Labour
• Leaders of the Government in the House of Commons
• Leaders of the Government in the Senate
• Ministers of National Defence
• Ministers of National Revenue
• Ministers of Natural Resources
• Ministers of Public Works and Government Services
• Solicitors General
• Ministers of Transport
• Presidents of the Treasury Board
• Ministers of Veterans Affairs

Former Portfolios

• Ministers of Communications (1969-1996)
• Ministers of Employment and Immigration (1977-1996)
• Ministers of Multiculturalism and Citizenship (1991-1996)
• Ministers of Public Works (1867-1996)
• Ministers of Supply and Services (1969-1996)
• Ministers of Consumer and Corporate Affairs (1968-1995)
• Ministers of Energy, Mines and Resources (1966-1995)
• Ministers of Forestry (1990-1995)
• Ministers of Industry, Science and Technology (1990-1995)
• Secretaries of State for External Affairs (1909-1995)
• Secretaries of State for Canada (1867-1995)

Reference to Current Cabinet Ministers: http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/key/CurMin.asp?Language=E