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2003 November Report of the Auditor General of Canada

November 2003 Report—Chapter 2

Exhibit 2.2—Principles of ministerial responsibility and accountability

  • Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the use of powers vested in them by statute. This requires their presence in Parliament to answer questions on the use of those powers. It is of paramount importance that ministers give honest, accurate, and truthful information to Parliament.
  • Whether a minister has used the powers appropriately is a matter for political judgment by Parliament. The Prime Minister has the prerogative to affirm support for ministers or ask for their resignation.
  • Ministers are not required to resign when departmental officials make administrative errors. When errors or wrongdoing are committed by officials under their direction, ministers are responsible for promptly taking the necessary remedial steps and for providing assurance to Parliament that corrective action has been taken to prevent reoccurrence.
  • Accountability of ministers for Crown corporations is limited to the degree of their control over and responsibility for the organizations as defined in the corporations' establishing legislation.
  • Parliamentary questions cannot be directed to a former minister concerning policies or transactions in a portfolio he or she no longer holds. Current ministers are answerable for actions taken by previous incumbents.
  • Public servants are accountable to ministers and not directly to Parliament. Before parliamentary committees, ministers are responsible for deciding which questions they should answer personally and which questions may be answered by officials speaking on their behalf. Officials provide factual answers and explain policies, but they do not defend or debate them.
  • When requested by parliamentary committees, deputies should personally appear to give an account of their stewardship of the department.

Source: Guide for Ministers and Secretaries of State and Guidance for Deputy Ministers