How a caretaker government functions in the middle of a trade war [Video]

If there’s one thing the former head of Canada’s public service wants Canadians to know right now, it’s that their country still has a government.

“We always have a government. Whether during prorogation, during dissolution, there’s always a functional government with its powers and its duties and obligations,” Michael Wernick said.

Wernick is the former clerk of the Privy Council — a position that includes heading up the public service, acting as the prime minister’s deputy as well as serving as secretary to the federal cabinet.

When Parliament is dissolved, the government itself is not shut down. Wernick says it can still respond to the economic chaos being unleashed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“What changes during the election period is this convention of [the government] using its powers with restraint. But there is a government there, it has a broad tool kit and there are people going to work …