http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=E&Page=Publications&doc=guidemin/guidemin_annexes_e.htm#a3
(as found 20050121)

http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/default.asp?Language=E&Page=Publications&doc=guidemin/guidemin_e.htm
(the Table of Contents, potentially a more stable link. If not found, search for titles and keywords.)

Below is an excerpt. I have linked my own CSS sheet, and added emphasis and {{comments}}. (KNIB)

GOVERNING RESPONSIBLY: 
A Guide For Ministers and Ministers of State

2004

Annexes

[ Table of Contents ]

Annex A - Federal Government Institutions: The Executive

[...]

  • The Prime Minister has the overall responsibility for the government’s relations with Parliament and the Sovereign.

    • A.3. The Ministry, the Cabinet and the Governor in Council

    Members of the Ministry include Ministers and Ministers of State. Ministers and Ministers of State are also members of the Cabinet. Members of the Ministry are appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister’s recommendation. Before taking up their responsibilities, they are sworn in as Privy Councillors by the Clerk of the Privy Council at a ceremony presided by the Governor General. In this ceremony, Privy Councillors swear the oath of allegiance, the Privy Councillor’s oath and, in the case of Ministers, the oath of office for their respective portfolio. The Privy Councillor’s oath includes the undertaking to maintain Cabinet secrecy. Privy Councillors are entitled to be styled “The Honourable” and to use the initials “P.C.” after their names for life.

    Unlike the Privy Council, the Cabinet has no standing in statute. In practice, the Cabinet is the fundamental and final forum for reaching a political authoritative consensus on government issues under the Prime Minister’s leadership.

    The Governor in Council is the term for the Cabinet acting in a legal capacity. Formally, it is the Governor General acting on the advice of the Cabinet. Parliament does not assign powers to the Cabinet or to Ministers collectively, but rather to the Governor in Council.

    [...] {further interesting material in the document}