What is the role of opposition parties?
- To appoint senators
- To give Royal Assent
- To oppose or try to improve government proposals
- To run federal departments
Answer: To oppose or try to improve government proposals
Opposition parties are the parties not in power. Their role is to peacefully oppose or try to improve the government’s proposals. Running federal government departments is the job of Cabinet ministers.
Learn more: Cabinet and the opposition
- The Prime Minister chooses the ministers of the Crown, most of them from among members of the House of Commons.
- Cabinet ministers are responsible for running federal government departments.
- The Prime Minister and the ministers together are called the Cabinet. They prepare the budget and propose most new laws.
- All members of the House of Commons can question Cabinet decisions.
- Parties not in power are called opposition parties.
- The opposition party with the most MPs is the Official Opposition, or His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition.
- The role of opposition parties is to peacefully oppose or try to improve government proposals.
- Three major political parties are represented in the House of Commons: the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party and the Liberal Party.