RESPONSIBILITY.

189

other hand, strongly maintained that the power in question
was vested in the “Governor-General in Council,” and that
his ministers were responsible to the Dominion Parliament
for the exercise of the power.

MEegTINGS OF THE COUNCIL.

In the early days of responsible government in Canada Meetings
the Governor used to debate with his ministers in Council, of Gouest
but this irregular proceeding was soon abandoned and the
ministers now discuss all questions of policy in private®
“The practice in Canada,” says Mr Todd? «for a number of
years has been that the business in Council is done in the
absence of the Governor. On very exceptional occasions the
Governor .may preside: but these would occur only ab
intervals of years and would probably be for the purpose
of taking a formal decision on some extraordinary matter and
not for deliberation thereon. The mode in which business is
done is by report to the Governor of the recommendations of
the Council sitting as a Committee, sent to the Governor for
his consideration, discussed when necessary between the
Governor and the premier and made operative by being
marked ‘approved’ by the Governor.”

RESPONSIBILITY.

Ministers are responsible to the Crown and to the Canadian Responsi.
Parliament to the same extent and in the same manner nn
as English ministers are to the Crown and to the English
Parliament. “The responsibility of the administration for
all Acts of Government is absolute and unqualified. But it
is essentially a responsibility to the legislature and especially
to the popular chamber*”

I For a summary of discussion, see Todd, 335.
* Todd, p. 37. 3 Tb.
' Todd, p. 89.