168 THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. 
In matters relating either to the Royal prerogative or to 
Imperial interests the Governor-General may, through the 
Secretary of State for the Colonies, consult the English Law 
Officers of the Crown on any question the legality of which 
is doubtful’. Such opinion has been sought as to the power 
of the Governor-General to create Queen’s Counsel * and as 
bo the power of a local Legislature to define its privileges®. 
It would not be in accordance with the usual practice for 
a Governor-General to take the opinion of the English Law 
Officers on any matter of purely local concern: in such matters 
he should seek the advice of the Minister of J ustice, or of the 
person or persons who in the Dominion correspond to the 
Law Officers in England. 
3. FUNCTIONS AS REGARDS THE DOMINION EXECUTIVE. 
The functions of the Governor-General as regards the 
Executive or Administration are regulated partly by Imperial 
Acts, partly by Dominion Statutes, and partly by the Letters 
Patent and Instructions already referred to. And they may 
be summed up by saying that he exercises in the Queen’s 
name on her behalf the supreme Executive Power. 
Appoints The Governor-General selects the members of the Council 
Ministers. appointed under section 11 of the B. N. A. Act to aid 
and advise the Government of Canada. The members 
of this Council or Privy Council, as it is sometimes called, 
form the ministry. In accordance with the well-established 
principles of responsible Government the members of the 
Council are selected from that party which enjoys the 
confidence of the majority of the members of the House of 
Commons, and the Prime Minister nominates his colleagues. 
Removal The Governor-General is empowered to remove members 
of ooun- of the Council, but in practice the ministry resign when they 
lose the confidence of the Legislature. By command of the 
LC. O. Regulations. 2 Todd, p. 241, see post, p. 172. 8 Todd. p. 471,