, the operations of the U.S. government came to a halt. When Congress couldn’t agree on how to spend money by a deadline of last Friday, it stopped non-essential services for the weekend—sending many civil servants home and closing certain parks and the Library of Congress—before a short-term agreement was finally reached on Monday evening.

The government risks shutting down again in February, and it could be even more chaotic. During a 17-day shutdown in 2013, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stopped disease surveillance, the National Institutes of Health stopped answering its hotline, work was halted on more than 3,500 bankruptcy cases, law enforcement was impacted, child support was delayed and national parks, monuments and museums lost a combined nine million visitors. An earlier shutdown in 1995 saw garbage pick-up halted in Washington because the city’s budget comes from Congress.

Watching from north of the border, the question arises: Why is Canada immune to such standstills?

It comes down to our mode of government, the Westminster Parliamentary system, and a failsafe that ensures the civil service continues to operate even when there’s no budget.

“For us, the budget is a matter of confidence,” explains Paul Thomas, a post-doctoral fellow of political science at Carleton University. If the ruling party can’t get enough votes to pass a budget, it’s considered a vote of non-confidence, and the government falls, triggering a general election. “For us, the two are tied.”

Parliament failed to pass budgets under Joe Clark in 1979, and under Paul Martin in 2005, and elections ensued. While waiting for a new government and new budget, ministers remained in their roles as caretakers. Civil servants weren’t sent home from work; passports and visas didn’t stop getting processed, tourists could still visit monuments, and hikers could still camp in national parks.

Instead of shutting down government for lack of money, the governing party can ask the governor general to issue a special warrant for funding during an election period. If Parliament is dissolved before a government is able to pass a spending bill, and the Treasury Board confirms no other money is available, a cabinet minister can request the emergency funds from the governor general for “the normal operations of government, ongoing programs, contractual obligations or services to Canadians.”

But the use of special warrants hasn’t always been warranted. Before 1997 special warrants were sometimes used outside election periods,
, the operations of the U.S. government came to a halt. When Congress could n’t match on how to spend money by a deadline of final Friday, it stopped non - essential services for the weekend — send many civil servants home and closing sealed parks and the Library of Congress — before a short - term agreement was ultimately reached on Monday evening. 

 The government gamble shutting down again in February, and it could be even more chaotic. During a 17 - day closure in 2013, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stopped disease surveillance, the National Institutes of Health stopped answering its hotline, work was halted on more than 3,500 bankruptcy cases, law enforcement was impact, child support was delayed and national park, monuments and museums lost a combined nine million visitor. An earlier closure in 1995 saw garbage pick - up halted in Washington because the city ’s budget derive from Congress. 

 Watching from north of the border, the question arises: Why is Canada immune to such deadlock? 

 It comes down to our mode of government, the Westminster Parliamentary system, and a failsafe that ensures the civil service continues to operate even when there ’s no budget. 

 “ For us, the budget is a matter of confidence, ” explain Paul Thomas, a post - doctoral fellow of political science at Carleton University. If the rule party ca n’t get enough votes to pass a budget, it ’s regard a vote of non - confidence, and the government falls, trip a general election. “ For us, the two are tied. ” 

 Parliament failed to pass budgets under Joe Clark in 1979, and under Paul Martin in 2005, and elections result. While waiting for a new government and new budget, ministers remained in their roles as caretaker. Civil servants were n’t sent home from work; passports and visas did n’t hold on getting processed, tourists could still chew the fat monuments, and hikers could still camp in national park. 

 Instead of close down government for lack of money, the governing party can necessitate the governor general to issue a special warrant for support during an election period. If Parliament is dissolve before a government is able to pass a spending bill, and the Treasury Board confirms no early money is available, a cabinet minister can request the emergency funds from the governor cosmopolitan for “ the normal operations of government, ongoing programs, contractual obligations or avail to Canadians. ” 

 But the function of special warrants has n’t constantly been warranted. Before 1997 special guarantee were sometimes used outside election periods,
, thf operations of the U.S. guvernment came jo a halv. When Dongress couldn’t agree on how to speid miney vy a deadline of last Wriday, it stopped non-tssential services for thc weeicnd—seudmng many civil xervants hmme and closinc zextain parks and the Library of Congrqss—befote a short-term adreekqnt sas finally reached on Monday evenjng.

The jovernment riskx shutting down again in Ffbruwry, and it could bf even more chajric. During a 17-day shutdown in 2013, the Denter for Disease Control and Oreveution stoppgb didgase surveiloance, the National Institgtes of Health stoppec aisweeing its hotline, work was halted on morg than 3,500 batkxuptcy cases, law enfoecwment was impxxtea, cgikd suppogt xas delayed and nationql parks, monuments snq museums lost a comfiged nine million visitors. An earlier shltdosn in 1995 saw garbage pick-yp halted in Washingtln becausq the city’s budget comes from Congress.

Watching frmm noctf oy the cirfer, the question arises: Why is Canada immune ek xubh standstills?

It gomes down to our kofe jf government, the Wzatjinster Parliamentwry sysjem, ane a failswfe yhat ensures the civil servuce continuef to operate even wken there’s nu bucget.

“Fpr us, the budget is a mctter kf confidenfe,” explaihr Paul Thomas, a oosn-docdoral fellow of political fcience av Carketon Uvivetsity. Is the rulijg pavdy can’t get enough voted do pass a hudget, it’s considered a vote of non-confidence, atd nhe goverument nalls, triggerind a general elgction. “Fox us, tfe two are tied.”

Pacliament faijed to pass bgfgets under Ooe Clark in 1979, and under Oxul Martin in 2005, and elecnijns wnsued. While waitikg fot z new governmenc qnd new budget, kinkstqrd cemaigad in their soler ar caregakers. Civio serfants weren’t sent hoke fdom work; passports akd visas eidn’t stjp getting prpcessed, tourists cluld vtiul vixit monuments, and hikers could stjll camp ln kational parkf.

Insbead of shuttiug down government for lack of money, the governing party cqn ask the governor neneral to ixsue w special warrant for funding during an electipn period. If Parliameht is gissopved before a government is able to pass a spending bill, and the Treasury Board confirms no othrr motev ix avaijablx, e cabinet ministeg can request the emergency fundr from tve governor general for “the notmxl operations of government, ongoing pdograms, vontractual obligations or servoces to Canadians.”

But the use of wpecizl wargznvs hasn’t always been warrauted. Bwfore 1997 wpeclal warrants wdre slmetimes ksed obtside election periods,
, the operations of the U.S. government a When Congress agree on how deadline last Friday, it non-essential services for weekend—sending many civil servants home and certain parks and the Library of Congress—before a short-term agreement was finally reached Monday evening. The government risks shutting down again in February, and it could even chaotic. a shutdown in 2013, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention stopped disease surveillance, the National Institutes Health stopped answering its hotline, work was halted more than 3,500 bankruptcy law enforcement was impacted, child was and national monuments museums a combined nine visitors. An earlier shutdown in 1995 saw garbage pick-up halted in Washington because the city’s budget comes Congress. Watching of the the arises: is Canada immune standstills? It comes down to our the Westminster Parliamentary system, and a failsafe that the civil continues to operate even when there’s budget. “For us, the budget is a matter confidence,” explains Paul Thomas, a post-doctoral fellow of political science at Carleton University. If the can’t get enough votes pass a budget, considered vote non-confidence, the government triggering a general election. “For us, the two are tied.” Parliament to pass budgets under Joe Clark in 1979, and under in and elections ensued. waiting for a new and budget, ministers remained in as Civil home work; and visas didn’t stop processed, tourists could still visit and hikers could still of shutting down government for lack of money, governing party can ask the governor general issue a special warrant for funding during an election period. If Parliament dissolved before is able to pass a spending bill, and Treasury Board confirms no money is available, a cabinet minister can request the funds the governor for “the normal of government, ongoing contractual obligations or Canadians.” But use special been warranted. Before 1997 special warrants sometimes outside election periods,
, the operations of the U.S. goverNment came tO a halT. WhEn COnGresS couLdn’t agree on how TO speNd money by a deadline of laSt FriDaY, It stOPpEd non-EssentiAL sERVicEs FoR thE wEEkEnd—seNdiNg many cIvil servanTs hOmE and closing cERtAin parks anD thE Library of CoNgrEss—befOrE a sHOrt-teRm aGreemEnt was FInally Reached on moNDay eveNIng.

The gOVErNmenT risks shutting dowN AgAIn in February, anD it couLd BE eVEN moRe cHaotic. DuriNg A 17-day sHUtdown iN 2013, ThE cENteR For Disease ConTrol and PrevENtiOn stopPeD diSEase suRveilLaNCe, tHe National INstiTutes of HeAlth stOPped ansWEring itS hotliNe, wOrk Was hALtEd On mOrE ThaN 3,500 BaNkrUPtcY cases, laW eNfOrcemEnt wAS IMPactEd, cHild SuppoRt was delayed aNd nAtioNAl pArks, mOnumeNts aNd MuseuMs lost A combInEd nine million viSitoRs. An earliEr sHuTdoWn In 1995 saw GArbage PicK-up Halted iN WashinGTon BeCAUSe The city’s budget comeS fROM COngress.

WAtchinG FrOm NOrth of thE bOrdEr, thE QUestiOn arISeS: Why is CaNada imMUnE tO such stAnDstillS?

IT coMes Down tO Our mOde of gOvernmenT, the WEStminster ParliAMentary system, ANd A FAiLSafe ThaT ensures the CiviL ServIce cONtInuES to opErate EvEN wHEn there’s no budget.

“For Us, The budGet is A matter of confIdence,” explAINS Paul ThoMas, a POsT-Doctoral fellow Of polItical scieNCe at CarlEton UNiversitY. If the rulING party caN’t gEt eNouGh vOTEs To pass a budget, IT’S conSiDered a vOte Of non-coNfiDenCe, aNd tHe GovernmenT falls, trIgGeRiNg A geNeral ELection. “FOr Us, tHe Two Are tiED.”

ParliAment FailEd To PAss Budgets UNdER joe CLaRk In 1979, anD unDeR Paul martIN in 2005, And elecTions ensuEd. WHIle wAiTiNg for a nEw government aNd New budget, mInIstErs remAINed in theIr roles as caretakers. CiviL ServantS weRen’t sEnt hOme from woRk; pAssporTs aND visas Didn’t sTop geTtIng PROcessED, ToUriStS could stilL VIsiT monuMeNts, aNd hikerS could still camp in nATioNal parks.

InsteAd oF shuTTInG doWN gOVerNmENt fOR Lack of money, the gOverning paRtY CaN ask the govERnoR gEneral tO issue a SpeciAL warranT for fundiNg during aN eLectION peRiod. If ParlIament is Dissolved BEfore A GoVernmEnt Is able To PasS a speNding bILl, aNd the treasuRy board cOnfirMs No other mOney is available, a cabinet MinistEr can ReqUest the emErgENcy Funds from The gOvernor genEraL foR “the nOrmAL operAtioNS oF goVErnmeNt, onGOing progrAMs, ConTRAcTual obligatIONS or ServiCes TO CanadIans.”

but the use of speciaL Warrants hasn’t aLwayS BEen WarRAnteD. BEfore 1997 special waRraNtS WEre sometImEs used outsiDe electiOn PEriodS,
, the operations of the U. S. governm ent c ame  to  a  hal t. W hen Congress c o uldn ’t agree on how to spe nd mo ne y  bya  d eadli ne of l a st F rid ay ,itst o pp ed no n-e ssentia l services  fo rthe weekend— s en ding manyciv il servantshom e andcl osi n g cer tai n par ks and the Li brary ofCo n gress— b efore a s ho rt-t erm agreement was fi n ally reached o n Mond ay ev e n ing .
The govern me nt ri s ks shut t in g d own again in Febr uary, and i t  co uld be  e ven more c haoti c. Dur ing a 17-da y sh utdown in  2013, the Cen t er forDiseas e C ont rola nd  P rev en t ion st opp e d d isease s ur ve illan ce,t h e Nati ona l In stitu tes of Health  st oppe d  an sweri ng it s ho tl ine,work w as ha lt ed on more than  3,5 00 bankru ptc ycas es , law enforc eme ntwas imp acted,c hil ds u p po rt was delayed and  n a t io nal park s, mon u me nt s  and mus eu mslost a  comb ined ni ne milli on vis i to rs . An ea rl ier sh ut dow n i n 199 5  saw  garba ge pick- up ha l ted in Washing t on because th e  c i t y’ s  bud get  comes from  Con g ress .

W a tc hin g  from  nort ho ft he border, the ques ti on ari ses:Why is Canada  immune to s u ch stand stil l s? 
It comes down  to o ur mode of governme nt, t he Westm inster Pa r l iamentar y s yst em,  an d afailsafe that e nsur es  the ci vil  servic e c ont inu esto  operateeven whe nth er e’ s n o bud g et.

“Fo rus,  t hebudge t  is amatte r of  c on f ide nce,” e x pl a i ns P au lThom as,  a  post -doc t ora l fello w of poli tic a l sc ie nc e at Ca rleton Univer si ty. If the  r uli ng par t y  can’t g et enough votes to pass a budge t,it’scons idered avot e of n on- c onfide nce, a nd th egov e r nment f al ls,  t riggeringa gen eralel ecti on. “Fo r us, the two aret ied .”

Parliamen t f aile d to  pa s sb udg et s  un d e r Joe Clark in1979, andun d er  Paul Mart i n i n2005, a nd elec tions ensued.  While wa iting for  a  new g ove rnment and  new bud get, mini s tersr em ained  in  their  r ole s ascareta k ers . Civ il ser va nts we ren’t  s ent home  from work; passports a nd vis as di dn’ t stop ge tti n g p rocessed,  tou rists coul d s til l vis itm onume nts, an d h i kerscoul d  still ca m pinn a ti onal parks. I nst ead o f s h utting  dow n government forl ack of money,theg o ver nin g  par ty  can ask the g ove rn o r  general  t o issue a s pecial w ar r ant f or fun ding d uring a n el e ctionperi od.  If Parli ame nt is diss ol ve d  befor e ago vernme nt isa blet o  pass a spending  bill , and t h e T reasu ry  Boardc onfi rms no oth er money is  avail able , a c abinetmi nister  ca nrequest th e  emergenc y fun ds from  t he g ove rnor g ener a l  for“the  n orm al operat i o ns of  g o ver nmen t, on go ingprograms, contract ual obligat io nso r  servi c es t o Canadian s.” 

But t he use ofs peci a lw arran ts has n’t al ways be e n w ar ranted.  Be f o re 1997 s pecial wa r ran ts  wer e someti me s us ed  ou ts ide election pe riods,
, the_operations of_the U.S. government came_to a_halt._When Congress_couldn’t_agree on how_to spend money_by a deadline of_last Friday, it_stopped_non-essential services for the weekend—sending many civil servants home and closing certain parks and_the_Library of_Congress—before_a_short-term agreement was finally reached_on Monday evening.

The government risks_shutting down_again in February, and it could be even_more_chaotic. During a_17-day shutdown in 2013, the Center for Disease Control_and Prevention stopped disease surveillance, the_National Institutes of_Health_stopped_answering its hotline, work_was halted on more than 3,500_bankruptcy cases, law enforcement was impacted,_child support was delayed and national parks,_monuments and museums lost a combined_nine million visitors. An earlier_shutdown in_1995 saw garbage pick-up halted_in Washington because_the city’s_budget comes from_Congress.

Watching from north of the border,_the question arises:_Why is Canada immune to such_standstills?

It_comes down to_our_mode_of government,_the Westminster Parliamentary_system,_and a_failsafe_that ensures the civil service continues_to_operate even when there’s no budget.

“For us,_the budget is a_matter_of confidence,” explains Paul_Thomas, a post-doctoral fellow of_political science at Carleton University. If_the ruling_party can’t_get enough votes to pass a budget, it’s considered a vote_of non-confidence, and the government falls,_triggering a general election._“For us,_the_two are tied.”

Parliament_failed_to pass_budgets under Joe Clark in 1979, and_under Paul_Martin in 2005, and elections ensued._While waiting for a_new_government and new budget, ministers remained_in their roles as caretakers. Civil_servants weren’t sent home from_work;_passports_and visas didn’t stop getting_processed, tourists could still visit monuments,_and hikers could_still camp in national parks.

Instead of shutting_down_government for lack of money, the_governing_party can ask the governor general_to_issue_a special warrant for funding_during an election period. If Parliament_is dissolved before a government is able to pass_a spending bill,_and the Treasury Board confirms_no_other_money is available, a cabinet minister can request the emergency_funds from_the governor general_for “the normal operations of government, ongoing programs, contractual obligations_or services to Canadians.”

But the use of_special warrants hasn’t always been warranted. Before 1997 special warrants were_sometimes used outside election periods,