How Canadians Govern Themselves
There are three key facts about Canada's system of government: our country is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy.
Federal state
There are federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments in Canada. Federal responsibilities include defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade and communications, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship. Provincial responsibilities include municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways. Agriculture and immigration are shared. Every province has its own elected Legislative Assembly.
Parliamentary democracy
In Canada's parliamentary democracy, the people elect members to the House of Commons and to provincial and territorial legislatures. Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign (Queen or King), the Senate, and the House of Commons. The Prime Minister selects Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the operations and policy of the government. The House of Commons is made up of MPs elected by the people, traditionally every four years. Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75. No bill can become law until passed by both chambers and given royal assent.
Constitutional monarchy
Canada's Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King) who reigns in accordance with the Constitution. There is a clear distinction between the head of state (the Sovereign) and the head of government (the Prime Minister). The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years. In each province, the Sovereign is represented by the Lieutenant Governor. In territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government.
Three branches of government
The interplay between the three branches — Executive, Legislative, and Judicial — helps secure the rights and freedoms of Canadians. Cabinet ministers must retain the confidence of the House and must resign if defeated in a non-confidence vote. Each provincial and territorial government has an elected legislature. The Premier of a province has a role similar to that of the Prime Minister at the federal level.
How a bill becomes law
Step 1 — First Reading (bill is printed); Step 2 — Second Reading (members debate its principle); Step 3 — Committee Study (clause by clause); Step 4 — Report Stage (amendments); Step 5 — Third Reading (debate and vote); Step 6 — Senate (same process); Step 7 — Royal Assent (bill receives royal assent and becomes law).
Municipal government
Local or municipal government plays an important role in citizens' lives. Municipal governments usually have a council that passes laws called by-laws affecting only the local community. Municipalities are normally responsible for urban planning, streets and roads, sanitation, snow removal, firefighting, ambulance, recreation facilities, public transit, and some local health and social services.
Aboriginal self-government
Aboriginal peoples in Canada — First Nations, Métis, and Inuit — have inherent rights of self-government recognized in the Constitution. Many First Nations communities govern themselves through band councils and have jurisdiction over education, social services, land use, and cultural matters on their reserve lands. The Nisga'a Treaty (2000) in British Columbia was a landmark agreement giving the Nisga'a Nation self-governing powers over lands and resources. The creation of Nunavut in 1999 was a major achievement in Inuit self-determination — Nunavut has its own Legislative Assembly and Premier. Canada continues to negotiate treaties and self-government agreements with Aboriginal communities across the country.
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Key Facts
- •Three key facts: Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy, and a constitutional monarchy
- •Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate, and the House of Commons
- •The head of state is the Sovereign; the head of government is the Prime Minister
- •Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the PM's advice and serve until age 75
- •Federal powers include: defence, criminal law, currency, banking, trade, immigration (shared), citizenship
- •Provincial powers include: education, healthcare, natural resources, property and civil rights, highways
- •Agriculture and immigration are shared between federal and provincial governments
- •The Governor General is appointed usually for five years