Legislative Oversight of Political Patronage in Canada

Cabinet appointments to arm's-length agencies, boards and commissions are the last bastion of traditional party patronage in Canada. This paper discusses the strengths and limitations of legislative scrutiny of such appointments in the Canadian House of Commons and the provincial legislatures of Ontario and Nova Scotia. In no jurisdiction has the legislature been permitted to usurp the executive prerogative, nor is this a likely reform, given both the constitutional and political role of ministers. However, legislative review by committee does enhance the accountability of the cabinet to the legislature when members have the right to interview appointees and query them about their political affiliations.