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Originally Posted by llama64
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you are correct, it does say this. but the POGG (peace, order, and good goverment) clause in section 91 of the constitution is a reference to the distribution of powers between the provincial and federal governments, not the constitutional convention of responsible government. it essentially states that defining the limits and responsibilities of each level of government will minimize "pissing matches" over the authority they each possess... essentially, Canada will have internal peace, order and good government if the roles are clearly defined for each level. For example, could you imagine how inefficient things would be if both levels of government had constitutional jurisdiction over health and education? Nothing would ever get done because of the constant disagreement between the two levels, all of government's time would be spent on infighting.
As for responsible government, it is stated, covered, and implied in the preamble of the Constitution:
"Whereas the Provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have expressed their Desire to be federally united into One Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with a Constitution similar in Principle to that of the United Kingdom."
with this wording comes the unwritten constitutional convention of responsible government, or that the government is responsible to its people through the house of commons. should the government lose the confidence of the house, it will be held accountable to it through an election.
hope this helps.