How Canadians Govern Themselves

Table Of Content

Canada’s System of Government: 3 Key Facts

Federal state

Parliamentary democracy

Constitutional monarchy

1. Federal State

Canada has 4 levels of government:

• Federal
• Provincial
• Territorial
• Municipal

The division of powers is defined in the British North America Act (Constitution Act, 1867)

Federal government handles - National/international issues

Defence, foreign policy, interprovincial trade, communications, currency, navigation, criminal law, and citizenship

Provinces handle - Education, health, civil rights, natural resources, highways, and municipal governments

Shared jurisdiction - Agriculture and immigration

In Canada, every province has its own elected legislature.

Territories have assemblies with similar functions, despite not having full provincial status.

2. Parliamentary Democracy

In Canada, citizens elect representatives:

• To the House of Commons in Ottawa (federal).
• To provincial/territorial legislatures.

Elected representatives are responsible for:

• Passing laws.
• Approving and monitoring expenditures.
• Keeping the government accountable.

Cabinet ministers must retain the confidence of the House; they resign if defeated in a non-confidence vote.

Parliament has 3 parts:

• The Sovereign (King or Queen)
• The Senate (appointed)
• The House of Commons (elected)

How the Government Works?

• The Prime Minister (PM) selects Cabinet Ministers and leads the government.

• The House of Commons is the representative chamber (made up of MPs).

  • Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected (usually every 4 years).

Senators appointed until age 75 by the Governor General on PM’s advice.

Bills (proposals for new laws) must pass both chambers and get Royal Assent to become law.

• Both the House of Commons and the Senate consider and review bills.

How a Bill Becomes Law (Legislative Process)?

1. First Reading – The bill is considered read for the first time and is printed
2. Second Reading – Members debate the bill’s principle
3. Committee Stage – Committee members study the bill clause by clause
4. Report Stage – Members can make other amendments.
5. Third Reading – Members debate and vote on the bill
6. Senate – The bill follows a similar process in the Senate.
7. Royal Assent – The bill receives royal assent after being passed by both Houses.

Canadians aged 18 or older should participate in their democracy by voting in federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal elections.

3. Constitutional Monarchy

Head of State - Hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King); reigns per the Constitution; Rule of Law

His Majesty:

• Symbol of Canadian Sovereignty.
• Guardian of Constitutional Freedoms.

The Head of the Commonwealth (Sovereign) links Canada to 53 other nations.

Other Constitutional Monarchies - Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan, and Morocco.

Head of Government - Prime Minister

Sovereign’s representative - Governor General.

• Appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the PM (usually for five years).

Sovereign’s representative in provinces - Lieutenant Governor

• Appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the PM (usually for five years).

David Johnston - 28th Governor General since Confederation

Structure Of Government

Federal

Executive Branch:

• Sovereign (represented by the Governor General)
• Prime Minister & Cabinet Ministers

Legislative Branch:

• Senate (appointed on the PM’s recommendation)
• House of Commons (elected by voters)

Judicial Branch:

• Supreme Court of Canada (Highest Court); 9 judges, appointed by the Governor General.
• Other courts: Federal Court, Provincial courts.
• Judiciary is independent of government – ensures fairness and protects rights

Provincial/Territorial

Lieutenant Governor (represents the Sovereign in provinces)

Premier – head of provincial government

Legislatures vary by name:

• MLAs – Members of the Legislative Assembly
• MNAs – National Assembly (Quebec)
• MPPs – Provincial Parliament (Ontario)
• MHAs – House of Assembly (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Commissioners represent the federal government in territories (ceremonial)

Municipal (Local)

Usually have a council that passes laws called “By-laws”.

Governed by:

• Mayor (reeve)
• Councillor (Aldermen)