Responsible government

Responsible government in Canada is founded on the individual and collective accountability of cabinet ministers to Parliament. As individuals, ministers are legally responsible for the policies, programs and administration of their departments; in addition, they must answer personally to Parliament for their decisions and actions in carrying out their portfolio duties. As members of Cabinet, they are collectively responsible to Parliament for government policies and programs in general.

Peace Tower clock, Ottawa Photo: Loui Massicotte

A minority
government—one that has failed to win a majority of seats in the House of Commons—must secure the support of members of other parties in order to forge ahead with its initiatives and have them passed by Parliament. Ministers will remain in office only as long as they retain the support of the majority of members of the House of Commons.

The practical result of the principles of ministerial responsibility is that only through co-operative action can ministers fulfil their personal duties and functions as well as their obligations as members of Cabinet. Effective government ultimately requires consensus among ministers on the goals, policies and programs they undertake. It is in the forging of this consensus that the prime minister plays a pivotal role in helping Cabinet function.