responsible government

Definition: In Canada, the principle of responsible government means the prime minister and the cabinet are directly accountable to the elected House of Commons and, ultimately, to the people of Canada.

The prime minister and cabinet ministers have seats in the Canadian House of Commons, with occasional exceptions. The government must retain the confidence of the majority of the members of the House of Commons or either resign or ask the governor general to dissolve Parliament and call an election.

In other words, the legislative branch of the Canadian government has control over the executive branch.

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