A minister is a member of cabinet responsible for a specific government department or portfolio. At the federal level, the Prime Minister selects ministers from Members of Parliament (usually from the governing party) to lead departments like Finance, Health, Transport, or Indigenous Services. Provincial premiers similarly appoint ministers from MLAs. Ministers develop policy, manage their departments, present legislation, and answer for their portfolio during Question Period. The Minister of Municipal Affairs or equivalent is particularly relevant to local governments, overseeing provincial-municipal relations and municipal legislation. Ministers collectively form cabinet, the key decision-making body of government.