Government
Chapter 5 of 10 in the official guide, Discover Canada (“How Canadians Govern Themselves”). This summary is ours: it does not replace the guide.
Three ideas sum up Canada's system: it is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
Who does what
- King Charles III is the Head of State. The Prime Minister is the head of government.
- The Governor General represents the Sovereign in Canada; a Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in each province. They are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years.
- Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
- Members of Parliament are elected. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister, and serve until age 75.
How it works
- Responsible government: ministers must keep the confidence of a majority in the House of Commons.
- A bill becomes law once it is passed by the House of Commons and the Senate and receives Royal Assent, given by the Governor General.
Federal or provincial
- Federal: national defence, foreign policy, currency, interprovincial trade, criminal law and citizenship.
- Provinces: education, health care, natural resources, property and civil rights, highways.
- Shared: agriculture and immigration.
- The three territories exercise powers delegated by Parliament.
3 free questions to test yourself
Question 1 of 3
Government
Who is Canada's Head of State?
Canada is a constitutional monarchy: the King is the Head of State, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
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B. King Charles III Canada is a constitutional monarchy: the King is the Head of State, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
Question 2 of 3
Government
What are the three parts of Parliament?
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (the King), the Senate and the House of Commons.
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C. The Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (the King), the Senate and the House of Commons.
Question 3 of 3
Government
Which of these is a provincial responsibility?
The provinces are responsible for, among other things, education, health care, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways. Defence, currency and foreign policy are federal.
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D. Education The provinces are responsible for, among other things, education, health care, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways. Defence, currency and foreign policy are federal.