What is a provincial Cabinet?

A provincial Cabinet is the committee of the provincial Premier and Cabinet ministers that exercises executive authority over provincial matters. Each of Canada's 10 provinces has a provincial Cabinet (and each territory has a territorial Cabinet, called the Executive Council in NWT and Nunavut). Provincial Cabinets vary in size from about 9 ministers (PEI) to about 30 ministers (Quebec and Ontario). Provincial Cabinet ministers are members of the provincial Legislative Assembly (or, in rare cases, of the appointed Senate).

Provincial Cabinets exercise executive authority in matters of provincial jurisdiction under section 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867 and parallel provincial constitutional provisions. Provincial Cabinets typically include departments and portfolios for Education, Health, Justice and Attorney General, Finance, Energy and Natural Resources, Agriculture, Transportation, Environment, Indigenous Relations, Municipal Affairs, Labour, Tourism, and other matters. The Premier acts as primus inter pares (first among equals) in the provincial Cabinet, similar to the federal Prime Minister.

Provincial Cabinet ministers are appointed by the provincial Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the Premier. Cabinet ministers are responsible for their departments under the principle of ministerial accountability and operate under Cabinet solidarity (the convention that ministers publicly support Cabinet decisions or resign). Each minister is supported by a Deputy Minister (the senior provincial public servant who runs the department) and by political staff in the Minister's Office.

Provincial Cabinets exercise executive authority through Orders in Council issued by the Lieutenant Governor in Council (the Lieutenant Governor acting on the advice of Cabinet). Provincial Crown corporations, departmental regulations, and appointments to provincial agencies and tribunals are typically made by Order in Council. The Cabinet is supported by the Cabinet Office (the non-partisan department that supports the Cabinet and Premier; the equivalent of the federal Privy Council Office), led by the Cabinet Secretary or Clerk. Provincial Cabinets meet regularly during sittings of the Legislative Assembly (typically weekly) to discuss policy, approve regulations, and coordinate government action. Cabinet deliberations are confidential by convention (Cabinet confidence), with deliberations remaining confidential for at least 20 to 30 years.