INTRODUCTION.
provided that in the case of occupation the occupation has
lasted for one year. An income of $300 a year, or an annuity
of $100 a year, if accompanied by residence of one year,
also gives a vote. A son if resident with his father may besome
qualified through his father’s ownership or occupation,
and a fisherman can be placed on’ the register if he owns
land, boats, or fishing tackle of the value of $300. Special
provision is made for giving the franchise to Indians.
Duration The duration of Parliament was fixed, subject to the power
of Paxlia- of the Crown to dissolve it at any time, at five years. Previous
to the Union the average duration of the legislature in the
old province of Canada had been three and a half years.
Since the Union there have been five parliaments, the first
continued practically for five years, the second was dissolved
within a year, the third had an existence of four years and
Sve months, the fourth did not quite complete its fourth year,
whilst the fifth, which met in Feb. 1883. was not dissolved
intil 1887.
In the constitution of the Executive the English Constitution
has been followed. The executive power is vested in the
Sovereign, who carries on the work of administration through
a Governor-General, assisted by a body of ministers known as
the Canadian Privy Council. The Governor-General is appointed
by the Crown, and the ministers are appointed by the
Governor-General. But in accordance with the principle of
“responsible government” the Governor-General is by constisutional
practice required to select as his ministers those
members whose policy obtains the confidence of the House of
Commons. The position of a minister is therefore similar to
that of a member of the Cabinet; but whilst the English
Cabinet is “unknown to the law,” the Union Act makes
sxpress provision for the constitution of the Canadian Privy
Council.
Governor- In all matters not directly affecting Imperial interests the
General. ~ _ _ . (lepneral is required to act by the advice of his
Dominion
Executive.
