Executive Council

An Executive Council in Commonwealth constitutional practice based on the Westminster system exercizes executive power and is the top tier of a government led by a Governor-General, Governor, Lieutenant-Governor or Administrator (all "governors"). Until the advent of responsible government, Executive Councils existed primarily to advise the governor of the colony, dominion or realm. Executive Councils still have the power to make far-reaching administrative and legal decisions affecting their jurisdictions known as Orders-in-Council.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth - Westminster system - Governor-General - Governor - Lieutenant-Governor - Administrator - Responsible government - Orders-in-Council

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Executive Councils comprise a President and Executive Councillors ("ministers"). A Vice-President might chair instead of the President.

Related Topics:
President - Minister - Vice-President

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These Councils have almost the same functions as the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, and accordingly, decisions of the Cabinet gain legal effect by being formally adopted by the Executive Council.

Related Topics:
Privy Council - United Kingdom - Cabinet

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"Executive Council" could mean the:

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• Executive Council of Australia
• Executive Council of the Irish Free State
• Executive Council of Hong Kong
• Executive Council of New Zealand

At the federal level, Canada does not have an Executive Council but the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, modelled on the Privy Council of the United Kingdom with the Canadian Cabinet technically being a committee of the Privy Council.

Related Topics:
Federal - Queen's Privy Council for Canada - Privy Council of the United Kingdom - Canadian Cabinet

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A number of US states also have Executive Councils which advise and assist the governor.

Related Topics:
US - States - Governor

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• Executive Council of New Hampshire
• Maryland Governor's Executive Council

Macao also has an Executive Council (Conselho Executivo) which advise and assist the Chief Executive.

Related Topics:
Macao - Executive Council - Chief Executive

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Executive Council: Provinces and territories of Canada ►