Responsibilities of the Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
The position of deputy prime minister of canada is a multi-faceted role, and is an honorary title as it pertains to the political cabinet. The canadian prime minister decides who will be the deputy prime minister, and can choose anyone that meets the requirements of holding office in canada (at least 18 years of age, and a canadian citizen).
This position holds no power when it comes to canadian law, but the deputy prime minister is given certain executive, decision making, and political tasks as decided by the prime minister. This is a varying role as the current prime minister may or may not choose to even have a deputy prime minister.
Since 1977, when the position of deputy prime minister was created by former canadian prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau, there has only been one canadian prime minister to deny the use of a deputy prime minister. The current prime minister, Stephen Harper, does not currently have a deputy, but has designated other positions to fill the needs of this position.
Becoming the deputy prime minister does not mean that that person will automatically become the prime minister upon the resignation or death of the prime minister. This process is determined through a combination of decisions made by the governor general, the cabinet, and the rest of the governing party. They may choose to place the deputy prime minister directly in the position, or choose from other members of the current leading political party.
Though the deputy prime minister is not a position that holds authority in canadian law, the title is an impressive item to hold on one’s resume, and can serve as a stepping stone to other positions of power in the political cabinet. The governing party and the canadian prime minister unanimously decide on the chain of command for the political positions, and the deputy prime minister of canada can be given as little, or as much power as seen fit by the governing forces.
Filed Under Canadian Prime Ministers | Leave a Comment
Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
As the leader of the largest majority of seats for the conservative party, Brian Mulroney is known for his triumphant entrance as the head of state for Canada between the years of 1984 and 1993. This ground breaking achievement for the conservative party marked its victory with 211 seats in the House of Commons. Originally from Quebec, this former canadian prime minister was deeply into politics and the leadership of John Diefenbaker (the canadian prime minister during Brian Mulroney’s school days). Mulroney graduated from Laval University in 1964 and before he graduated became a student assistant to prime minister John Diefenbaker himself.
This unbelievable position as advisor to the highest position in the nation, took the teachers and students from the school that Brian Mulroney was attending by surprise, and they could not believe such an accomplishment was possible for a student. Brian Mulroney arranged for canadian prime minister John Diefenbaker to visit the school and prove to the students and teachers that this indeed was true.
Soon after his graduation, his career took off with the position of as a member of the Cliché Commission of Inquiry. This organization helped end the corruption and violence that was being hidden in the construction industry, and Brian Mulroney was noted for his leadership role in this event. He was noticed by the political party, and this feat helped pave the way towards becoming the canadian prime minister.
His next position was as the Vice President of the Iron Ore Company, which within one year’s time turned into a position as the President of the Iron Ore Company. He began running for the conservative party leadership in 1983, and won the vote by a landslide. Brian Mulroney was sworn in as the canadian prime minister in 1984, and was then responsible for positively influencing the trade relationship between canada and the United States. He instigated the North American Free Trade Agreement which allowed canada and America to have a more efficient trade process. Brian Mulroney’s influence in office gave canada a smoother and more profitable import and export system.
Filed Under Best Canadian Prime Minister, Canadian Prime Ministers | Leave a Comment
Canadian Prime Ministers
Canadian Prime Ministers hold the highest office in Canadian government. Canadian Confederation was officially declared in 1867, although it was not formally integrated into the British constitution until 1905.
The Prime Minister and structure of the Canadian government was originally modeled after the British system. Generally there are two or three political parties in Canada. The Conservative party of Canada tends to be more right wing, the Liberal Party of Canada which is more left-wing, and the New Democratic Party or NDP which has a stronger social and unionist following.
In recent years there have been several other parties including the Green Party which have gained a significant amount of traction. Also in Québec the Bloc Québecois has gained substantial support from the French population.
The canadian prime minister is elected is by achieving the highest number of parliamentary seats in the country. Each area of the country has a number of seats and one Minister of Parliament (MP) is elected for each parliamentary seat. For example in a city of one million people there may be 5 to 10 different parliamentary seats, and each will have an MP elected.
The political party that acquires the most seats during the election forms the government. This can be a majority government if one party acquires more seats than all of the other parties combined, or if one party gets the most seats but it does not equal more than the total number of seats from all the other parties then they can form a minority government.
There have been 22 different individuals who have become Canadian Prime Minister, and several of them have held the office multiple times. Sir John A. Macdonald was the 1st Canadian Prime Minister in 1867, and Stephen Harper is the current Canadian Prime Minister, and he was first elected in February 2006.
Filed Under Best Canadian Prime Minister, First Prime Minister | Leave a Comment
« go back