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How come the prime minister of Canada has no power or authority?

It seems like the prime minister of Canada has no real power or authority. I say this as a canadian. Compared too the president of the US it looks that way, I know the US is a lot bigger (population wise) and has more power than canada but still. And when the prime minister is speaking at that house thing there is all these losers yelling in the back. Everything has too go threw all these votes and no one agrees so nothing really ends up happening. Could someone explain why? Also what the prime ministers powers are? Thanks so much!

Public Comments

1. the position is just a figure head much like the queen of england
2. Actually the Prime Minister has a great deal of power. He chooses the Ministers, leads the direction that the party takes, and he sets the agenda of the government. I also say he, because Prime Minister Harper is the current Prime Minister. I would say that the Prime Minister is more involved with the day to day dealings of the government that the American President. The Prime Minister has to spend some time amongst the MPs. It just so happens that there is not a majority government currently and in order to maintain his grip on power, he has to negotiate with the other parties. Like a true democracy. Believe it or not the yelling is part of the game. The opposition is yelling to voice their constituents' concerns. Try this link to better answer your question. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Minister_of_Canada
3. You are right he has no power because Canada is tiny compared to the USA in size and economy Pierre Elliot Trudeau once said that USA is like sleeping near an elephant (and i imagine Canada like a small person) "Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt." The P.M has the power to bow and kiss the feet of the USA ...