Federal State
Federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments
Parliamentary Democracy
People elect representatives to make laws
Constitutional Monarchy
Queen/King as Head of State
Federal Government Responsibilities
- • National Defence
- • Foreign Policy
- • Interprovincial Trade
- • Currency
- • Navigation
- • Criminal Law
- • Citizenship
- • Immigration (shared)
- • Agriculture (shared)
Provincial Responsibilities
- • Municipal Government
- • Education
- • Health Care
- • Natural Resources
- • Property and Civil Rights
- • Highways
- • Immigration (shared)
- • Agriculture (shared)
- • Environment (shared)
In Canada's parliamentary democracy, people elect members to the House of Commons and provincial/territorial legislatures. These representatives pass laws, approve expenditures, and keep government accountable.
Parliament has three parts:
- • The Sovereign (Queen or King)
- • The Senate (appointed until age 75)
- • The House of Commons (elected by the people)
How a Bill Becomes Law:
- 1. First Reading - Bill is printed
- 2. Second Reading - Debate on principle
- 3. Committee Stage - Study clause by clause
- 4. Report Stage - Make amendments
- 5. Third Reading - Final debate and vote
- 6. Senate - Similar process
- 7. Royal Assent - Governor General approves
Canada's Head of State is a hereditary Sovereign (Queen or King), who reigns according to the Constitution. There is a clear distinction between the head of state and head of government.
Head of State
The Sovereign (Queen/King)
• Symbol of Canadian sovereignty
• Guardian of constitutional freedoms
• Non-partisan role
• Represented by Governor General
Head of Government
The Prime Minister
• Actually directs governing
• Selects Cabinet ministers
• Responsible for operations and policy
• Must have confidence of House
Canadians vote for people to represent them in the House of Commons. Canada is divided into 308 electoral districts (ridings). The candidate with the most votes becomes the MP.
Voting Eligibility:
- • Canadian citizen
- • At least 18 years old on voting day
- • On the voters' list
After an Election:
The party with the most seats forms government. If they have at least half the seats, it's a majority government. If less than half, it's a minority government.
Secret Ballot:
No one can watch you vote. No one has the right to insist you tell them how you voted, including family, employers, or union representatives.
The Canadian justice system guarantees everyone due process under the law. Our judicial system is founded on the presumption of innocence - everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
Courts
- • Supreme Court of Canada (highest)
- • Federal Court of Canada
- • Provincial appeal courts
- • Provincial trial courts
- • Family, traffic, small claims courts
Police
- • RCMP (federal laws, most provinces)
- • Provincial police (Ontario, Quebec)
- • Municipal police departments
- • Keep people safe and enforce law
- • You can question police conduct
Executive
Prime Minister and Cabinet implement and enforce laws
Legislative
Parliament (House of Commons and Senate) makes laws
Judicial
Courts interpret laws and ensure justice
MPs - National/international matters
MLAs/MNAs/MPPs/MHAs - Regional matters
Mayor/Councillors - Local matters
Chiefs/Councillors - Reserve matters
- • Know the three key facts about government
- • Understand division of powers
- • Learn how bills become laws
- • Know voting requirements
- • Understand majority vs minority government
- • Learn about the three branches