but he's commander in chief. and he confirms / dissolves parliament. so when it matters, as in war time, he can . I don't appreciate the condescension in either case. It's not like his powers are easy to understand. They exist, though not commonly exercised.

> so when it matters, as in war time, he can

I looked it up, and you are kinda right in the theory of it, and I was wrong in the practice of it. The practical power lies with the Cabinet.

From Wikipedia:

"A declaration of war by Canada [...] is an exercise of the royal prerogative on the constitutional advice of the ministers of the Crown in Cabinet and does not require the direct approval of the Parliament of Canada, though such can be sought by the government."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_war_by_Canada