General elections trigger the caretake convention. Here is why this is important for your interactions with federal officials.
The risk of a general federal election depends on the dynamics within Parliament on any given day, including the relationships between the political parties, the confidence of the government, and current events. If the Liberal Party does not have a majority, they might face challenges that could lead to an election, especially if opposition parties decide to withdraw support on key votes.
When a general federal election will be triggered, the caretake convention will kick in which will have ramifications across government Departments.
In Canadian politics, the caretaker convention plays a crucial role in maintaining government integrity during election periods. This unwritten principle governs the actions of the federal government and its officials when a general election is called. It can have a direct impact on organisations and recipients of federal programs or services because it can mean delays in funding approvals and project roll outs. Here’s a closer look at what the caretaker convention entails and its significance in the Canadian political landscape.
What is the Caretaker Convention?
The caretaker period begins when either the Government loses a vote of non-confidence or Parliament has been dissolved. Officially, it ends when a new government is sworn-in, or when an election result returning an incumbent government is clear. In practice, however, it has been my experience that in the event where a new government is elected, the caretaker convention lingers until a new Minister has been fully briefed on a Department’s business which can take a few weeks after they are sworn in.
The caretaker convention is a guiding principle that ensures the incumbent government does not make significant decisions or implement new policies that could bind a future government during the election period. It is the responsibility of the public service to act with restraint during an election period. This convention acknowledges the transitional nature of a government leading up to an election, where the political landscape can change dramatically depending on the election outcome.
The caretaker convention is a guiding principle that ensures the incumbent government does not make significant decisions that could bind a future government during the election period.
While the caretaker convention itself is an unwritten principle, the Privy Council Office has published a policy that outlines the expectations for government conduct during an election period, emphasizing the principles of limited decision-making, accountability to Parliament, and non-partisan governance.
Key Features of the Caretaker Convention
Exercising “restraint” does not mean that government is prohibited from making decisions or announcements, or otherwise taking action, during the caretaker period. Indeed, the routine operation of government must continue, and necessary business must be transacted.
The key features of the Caretaker Convention are:
Limitations on Decision-Making: During the caretaker period, the government refrains from making major policy changes or commitments. This helps prevent any perceived advantage that the incumbent party might gain by implementing new policies just before the election.
Responsibility to Parliament: The convention emphasizes that the government should remain accountable to Parliament. Major decisions, particularly those involving public expenditure or policy shifts, should be deferred until after the election.
Neutral Governance: The caretaker convention encourages a non-partisan approach in government activities. Public resources should not be used for political advantage, and the government should act in the public interest rather than in its own electoral interest.
Impacts of the Caretaker Convention
The caretaker convention plays a vital role in preserving democratic integrity and fairness in the electoral process. By limiting the incumbent government's power during an election campaign, it helps level the playing field for all political parties. This ensures that voters can make informed choices without the influence of last-minute policy changes or resource allocations that could unfairly sway public opinion.
The caretaker convention tends to slow down decision-making and approvals within Departments as officials become more hesitant to take actions that could be seen as controversial.
However, the caretaker convention tends to slow down decision-making and approvals within Departments as officials become more hesitant to take actions that could be seen as controversial. (Note: The only exception to this would be emergency or public safety issues which would require the government’s immediate action.)
During the caretaker period, officials refrain from making major policy changes or launching new initiatives. Similarly, if new funding or significant changes to programs are anticipated, those are usually postponed until after the election. Government contracts for services or contribution agreements for projects may be put on hold during an election. In essence, officials avoid making decisions that could bind the hands of an incoming administration. This means beneficiaries might not see immediate responses to pressing issues until after the election, depending on the election outcome.
What does the caretaker convention mean for you?
What does this mean for you? It means that as a general election approaches, it's important to recognize the shift in how the federal government operates. The implementation of the caretaker convention will result in a temporary pause on the usual federal government practices. This means that funding decisions and significant policy actions will be delayed until after the election concludes.
For stakeholders and organizations, this is a critical time to focus on monitoring the election landscape. Assess how your projects and initiatives align with the priorities of the various political parties. By doing so, you'll be well-positioned to re-engage and advocate for your interests once the election results are announced. Being proactive during this period can help ensure that your initiatives are front and center in the post-election discussions.
Comments