Chapter 5

How Canadians Govern Themselves

Federal state, parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy: who does what at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

Three key facts

Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
There are federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments.

The powers of the federal and provincial governments were set out in 1867 in the British North America Act, now called the Constitution Act, 1867.
Federal government: national defence, foreign policy, trade and communications between provinces, currency, navigation, criminal law and citizenship.
Provinces: municipal government, education, health, natural resources, property and civil rights, and highways.
Shared by both: agriculture and immigration.
Federalism lets each province adapt its policies to its own people and try new ideas.
Each province has an elected Legislative Assembly, like the House of Commons in Ottawa.
The three territories have small populations and are not provinces, but their governments do many of the same jobs.

People elect representatives to the House of Commons in Ottawa and to provincial and territorial legislatures.
Representatives pass laws, approve and watch over government spending, and hold the government accountable.
Cabinet ministers answer to the elected representatives. They must keep the 'confidence of the House' and resign if they lose a non-confidence vote.
Parliament has three parts: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons.
A provincial legislature has two parts: the Lieutenant Governor and the elected Assembly.
After an election, the Governor General normally invites the leader of the party with the most seats in the House of Commons to form the government. That leader becomes Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister chooses the Cabinet ministers and is responsible for the government's operations and policies.
Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons are traditionally elected every four years.
Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister and serve until age 75.
Citizens have the right and responsibility to take part in decisions that affect them. It is important for Canadians aged 18 or older to vote in federal, provincial or territorial, and municipal elections.

A bill is a proposed law. It must pass both the House of Commons and the Senate and receive Royal Assent.
1. First reading: the bill is introduced and printed.
2. Second reading: members debate the bill's principle.
3. Committee stage: a committee studies the bill clause by clause.
4. Report stage: members can make more amendments.
5. Third reading: members debate and vote on the bill.
6. Senate: the bill goes through similar steps in the Senate.
7. Royal Assent: the Governor General gives Royal Assent on behalf of the Sovereign, and the bill becomes law.

The head of state is a hereditary Sovereign (King or Queen) who reigns under the Constitution. Today it is King Charles III.
The Sovereign is part of Parliament and is above party politics. The Sovereign is a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, guards constitutional freedoms and reflects Canada's history.
As Head of the Commonwealth, the Sovereign links Canada to 53 other nations.
Other constitutional monarchies include Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Spain, Thailand, Japan, Jordan and Morocco.
The head of government is the Prime Minister, who runs the country's government.
The Sovereign is represented in Canada by the Governor General, appointed on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years.
In each province the Sovereign is represented by a Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice, usually for five years.
In the three territories, a Commissioner represents the federal government and has a ceremonial role.
There are three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. They work together to protect Canadians' rights and freedoms.

Elected members of provincial and territorial legislatures are called MLAs, MNAs, MPPs or MHAs, depending on the province or territory.
In each province, the Premier has a role like the Prime Minister's, and the Lieutenant Governor has a role like the Governor General's.
Municipal (local) governments are led by a mayor (or reeve) and councillors.

Checked against the official study guide: Discover Canada: How Canadians govern themselves. Summarized in our own words.