POLSCI 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Hereditary Monarchy, De Facto, Royal Assent

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: POLSCI 1AA3
• Professor: Todd Alway

Document Summary

In a constitutional sense, it is the queen that is at the apex of canadian power. The governor general exercises crown power within canada in the name of the queen. Crown power is exercised on the advice of the government of the day. Governor general will almost always accept that advice. Crown has very little power in practice. In the past there has been rare cases where the governor general has had some discretion in the use of her power and authority. Usually the governor general will dissolve parliament on the basis of a request from the prime minister. Should canada eliminate its ties to the monarchy. Is a hereditary monarchy compatible with a modern democratic state. According to supporters, the crown has a role to play when unexpected crises develop. It is a source of legitimate power that can be used when the normal political process breaks down. The crown can thereby play a role in protecting canadian democracy.