What is "constitutional power?"

Question

I have to write a response to this statement (either agreeing/disagreeing): "The Prime Minister of Canada has more constitutional power than the President of the United States."

So I don't quite understand what constitutional power is =/

Answer 1

What does the US Constitution specifically allow the President to do?

What does the Canadian Constitution specifically allow the Prime Minister to do?

??

Answer 2

Constitutional power is the power granted by a nation's constitution.

In the United States, power is divided between the executive branch (the president), the legislative branch (Congress) and the judicial branch (the courts). It's called a system of checks and balances so that power is divided fairly evenly.

What powers does the Canadian Constitution give the prime minister?

Answer 3

Okay, I think I understand now!

Canadian Constitution (from another website):
In a deliberate departure from the U.S. model, the Fathers of Confederation awarded to the federal Parliament the residual power, i.e., jurisdiction over all areas not specifically assigned to the provincial legislatures.

So the federal system in Canada is more powerful than the American one.

The United States has the system of "checks and balances..." which limit the executive branch's power, but I'm not sure if Canada has anything similar.

I think I'm going to agree with the statement.

Thanks Writeacher and Ms. Sue. :)

Answer 4

You're welcome. :-)