We are all familiar with the pomp and circumstance involved in the opening of Parliament and the reading of the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government's legislative plans for the next parliamentary session. Beyond the obvious pageantry of the moment, what precise role does the Crown play in the functioning of government?

It is the Queen's representative, upon advice from the Prime Minister or Premier, who appoints individuals to the cabinet, making them "Ministers of the Crown." Just as the Prime Minister and Premiers are the Queen's "first ministers," so too are cabinet members advisers to the Crown. Through its right to advise and to be advised, the Crown exerts what is perhaps its principal influence. Although they almost always accept the advice of ministers, the representatives of the Crown do have the right and, indeed, the duty to have their views taken into account.

Since Confederation, Prime Ministers most commonly resign as a result of a defeat at a general election. Twelve Prime Ministers have been defeated and subsequently resigned, for a total of thirteen times, having applied to Mackenzie King on two separate occasions. However, the office can also be vacated due to other factors, such as resignation based on personal reasons, death or incapacitation. Since 1867, there have been eight such cases of prime ministerial "personal resignations," thereby making way for a new party leader who was then sworn in as Prime Minister. Among examples were the resignations of Prime Minister Chrétien in December 2003, who was succeeded by Paul Martin, and Prime Minister Mulroney in June 1993, who was succeeded by Kim Campbell. A personal resignation in a provincial jurisdiction took place in Alberta in December 2006 when Premier Ralph Klein resigned and was succeeded by Ed Stelmach.

Besides its prerogative powers, the Crown also has statutory powers as stated in law. For example, our Constitution lists specific authorities for the Queen and the Governor General, including the appointment of senators, judges of certain courts, Lieutenant Governors in the provinces, and members of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. Lieutenant Governors have the power to appoint members of the provincial Executive Council or Cabinet.

Although the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors are, in theory, free to refuse the advice of the Privy Council or Executive Council, in practice, they almost never do. Nevertheless, circumstances may give rise to a grave difference of opinion between the Crown's representatives and their advisors. Here, a special and generally less known area of the prerogative power, known as "reserve powers," comes into play.

Normally it is obvious which candidate should be appointed as first minister. However, on occasion the choice might not be clear and the Queen's representative may exercise some discretion with the appointment. Given that the resignation of the Prime Minister or Premier involves the resignation of the entire Cabinet, this reserve power is extremely important. It ensures there will always be a legitimate government in office with the authority to govern.

The representative of the Crown also has the power to dismiss or force the resignation of the Prime Minister or Premier. This is one of the most sensitive decisions that any Governor General or Lieutenant Governor can be called upon to make. It is made only under the most serious circumstances. For example, if a Prime Minister or Premier were to lose the support of a majority in the legislative body on a vote of non-confidence and then refuse to resign, there could be justification for dismissal. In a broader application, a Prime Minister or the government could be dismissed if the Governor General believes an exceptional situation has created a crisis of confidence in government. This power has been exercised on five occasions in Canadian provinces: Québec in 1878 and 1891 and British Columbia in 1898, 1900 and 1903. This power has not been used in Canada for the federal government, but it was exercised in another Realm of the Commonwealth: by the Governor General of Australia, in 1975.

The Governor General or Lieutenant Governor also has the right to dissolve Parliament or the Legislature. This is normally carried out on advice from the Prime Minister or Premier when an election is sought at the end of a term in office. However, a Prime Minister or Premier can ask for a dissolution at any time. While there are some jurisdictions that have fixed election dates, this does not affect the above-mentioned constitutional principle. Equally, the representative of the Crown can refuse dissolution. In 1926, Governor General Lord Byng exercised reserve power to reject Prime Minister Mackenzie King's advice to dissolve Parliament; instead, the Governor General called upon the Leader of the Opposition to form a government.

As we have seen, the Crown can also, in theory, refuse to give Royal Assent to bills passed by the federal Parliament or provincial legislatures, though this power has been used very seldom.

Canadian rock star Brian Adams unveils a Canada Post stamp honouring the Queen on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee as Queen of Canada. The image is based on a photograph of Her Majesty taken by Adams. Rideau Hall. Ottawa, Ontario. December 2003.