Lesson 2 — Activity 3: The Cabinet
Completion requirements
Lesson 2 — Activity 3: The
Cabinet
Warm Up
Canada is a very big place and a complex country. It must be governed in a way that is in the best interest of the nation as a whole, yet it must meet the needs of various regions and groups. One person cannot possibly know all that needs to be known about everything that a government needs to do. One person cannot cope with all the work that needs to be done. In this lesson, you will learn more about the cabinet and its responsibilities.
Consider the list in the box below of the areas for which the federal government is responsible, and consider that a prime minister has to make sure that all regions of Canada are represented in the cabinet. Imagine how Albertans would react if they had no representative in the most powerful group in Canada's government. These are the reasons the cabinet is necessary.
Federal Government Responsibilities
agriculture and agri-food
Canadian heritage
citizenship and immigration
environment
finance
fisheries and oceans
foreign affairs and international trade
health
human resources and skills development
Aboriginal affairs and northern development
industry
intergovernmental affairs
international cooperation and development
justice
labour
national defence
national revenue
natural resources
public safety
public works and government services
transport, infrastructure, and communities
treasury board
veterans affairs
western economic diversification
After an election, the prime minister looks to elected members of his or her party to form the cabinet. Members, called ministers, are chosen based on several criteria:
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service and loyalty to their party and the prime minister
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expertise and knowledge in the area of their responsibility
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areas of the country in which they live
The cabinet makes important decisions for the government. The cabinet:
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gives the prime minister the information needed to make important decisions
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is the place where ministers can debate ideas
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is in charge of deciding what things are important to the government
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determines what will be presented to Parliament
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is expected to present one voice outside the cabinet room
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decides how money will be spent
The cabinet is the most powerful part of the executive branch of Canada's government.
Federal Government Responsibilities
agriculture and agri-food
agriculture and agri-food
Canadian heritage
citizenship and immigration
environment
finance
fisheries and oceans
foreign affairs and international trade
health
human resources and skills development
Aboriginal affairs and northern development
industry
intergovernmental affairs
international cooperation and development
justice
labour
national defence
national revenue
natural resources
public safety
public works and government services
transport, infrastructure, and communities
treasury board
veterans affairs
western economic diversification
- gives the prime minister the information needed to make important decisions
- is the place where ministers can debate ideas
- is in charge of deciding what things are important to the government
- determines what will be presented to Parliament
- is expected to present one voice outside the cabinet room
- decides how money will be spent
Self-check!
Try This!
Try the question below on your own first, and then click on the tab to check your answer! You can look back in the lesson to find the answer.
Name at least two roles of the cabinet.
The cabinet:
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gives the prime minister the information needed to make important decisions
-
is the place where ministers can debate ideas
-
is in charge of deciding what things are important to the government
-
determines what will be presented to Parliament
-
is expected to present one voice outside the cabinet room
-
decides how money will be spent
Digging Deeper!
Click on the Play button below to watch a news clip on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet.