ITS FUNCTIONS.

187

(8) Assent to Bills. The position of the Ministry in regard fom to
to the Governor-General’s assent to bills has been already
referred to. The Governor-General is bound, as representing
the Crown, to exercise his own discretion unfettered by any
advice he may receive from his Ministers, though in practice
he follows such advice.

2. As regards the Administration.
The Ministry, as we have pointed out, is, unlike the Eng- ATS.
lish Cabinet, known to the law. The duty of the Council is Powers.
stated in the Act of Union to be to “aid and advise in the
government of Canada.” It “aids” in the government by
each member taking charge of the administration of a department,
 and it “advises” by suggesting to the Governor-General
 the course he should pursue under given circumstances.

The Union Act and Instructions specify certain matters Powers of
that are to be transacted by the Governor-General in Council as
or after receiving the advice of the Council, viz :— Cognil.
1. The appointment of Lieutenant-Governors of Provinces®,

2. The exercise of the prerogative of pardon?
8. The exercise of all powers which at the Union were
vested in the Governors of the Provinces with the advice of the
resvective Executive Councils thereof®.
4. The hearing of any Appeal under section 93 regarding
the rights and privileges of the Protestant or Roman
Catholic minority of the Queen’s Subjects in a Province in
relation to Education.
The administrative powers conferred on the Governor
in Council by Canadian statutes are very numerous. Such
powers are exercised by Orders in Council published in the
Canadian Gazette and printed as a rule with the statutes for
the year.
1B. N. A. Act, 8. 58.
3B N. A. Act. g, 12.