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Who calls the shots on Privy Council appointments?

As with the Senate, Privy Council members are technically appointed by the Governor-General – but they are actually appointed by the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Paul Martin was one of the most prolific appointees due to his policy of appointing parliamentary secretaries – a practice that has not been followed since.

What does the Council do?

According to the odd conspiracy theory, the Queen’s Privy Council is a shadowy illuminati secretly pulling the strings in Ottawa. In reality, it is largely a ceremonial body. “There are no specific duties performed by all Privy Councillors,” wrote Privy Council spokesman Raymond Rivet in an email to the Post. The body meets “almost never,” according to the Council’s own website, and its last gathering was in 1981 to consent to the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. “There’s a swearing in, you get a plaque – and that’s the last I heard of it,” said Mr. Bagnell.

Why does Canada have a Privy Council?

The Privy Council has been built into the federal government since Confederation, and is the ancestor of elite councils that were tasked with advising the British Sovereign. In modern times, while the Privy Council members themselves may not do much, the office itself is the command centre for the civil service. Privy Council clerk Wayne Wouters is Canada’s top civil servant – and the Prime Minister’s own Deputy Minister.

Who gets in?