Lesson 1 of 2 · 6 min read
Canada is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy — two ideas that work together to shape how the country is governed.
The guide sums up Canada's system of government in three key facts: Canada is a federal state, a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy.
Canada has federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. The split of responsibilities between the federal government and the provinces was set in 1867 by the British North America Act, now called the Constitution Act, 1867. Federalism lets each province adopt policies suited to its own people and try out new ideas. (The next lesson covers who does what.)
Canada's Head of State is the King, currently King Charles III. But Canada is a constitutional monarchy — the King's powers are exercised according to Canada's Constitution and laws, not by personal decree. In Canada, the King is represented by the Governor General, who is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister, usually for five years, and gives royal assent to bills passed by Parliament. In each province the Sovereign is represented by a Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Governor General on the Prime Minister's advice, also normally for five years.
The guide describes the Sovereign as a symbol of Canadian sovereignty, a guardian of constitutional freedoms and a reflection of our history. Canada is the only constitutional monarchy in North America.
Canada is also a parliamentary democracy. Canadians elect representatives, called Members of Parliament (MPs), to the House of Commons. The political party that wins the most seats usually forms the government, and its leader becomes the Prime Minister, the head of government. The people's representatives pass laws, approve and monitor spending, and keep the government accountable.
The Prime Minister chooses the Cabinet ministers, who must keep the "confidence of the House". If they are defeated in a non-confidence vote, they must resign.
A proposed law is called a bill; the Cabinet proposes most of them. No bill becomes law until it has passed both the House of Commons and the Senate and received royal assent from the Governor General on the Sovereign's behalf.
Both roles exist side by side, a structure Canada inherited from Britain and adapted to its own Constitution.
The Sovereign
Head of State. Represented in Canada by the Governor General
Prime Minister
Head of government; leader of the party with the most seats
Cabinet
Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister; run departments, prepare the budget, propose most laws
Senate
Appointed on the Prime Minister's advice; serve to age 75
House of Commons
Members of Parliament elected by voters
Supreme Court of Canada
Nine judges; the highest court
Federal and provincial courts
Federal Court; provincial appeal, trial and lower courts
Parliament is the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons together. The three branches work together, and sometimes in creative tension, to secure Canadians' rights and freedoms.
Government also has three branches: the executive (the Sovereign, Prime Minister and Cabinet), the legislative (Parliament: the Sovereign, the Senate and the House of Commons) and the judicial (the courts, led by the Supreme Court of Canada's nine judges). They work together, sometimes in creative tension, to secure Canadians' rights and freedoms.
Key facts
Canada is a constitutional monarchy: the King is the Head of State, but his powers are exercised within the limits of Canada's Constitution and laws.
Canada is also a parliamentary democracy: Canadians elect Members of Parliament, and the party with the most seats in the House of Commons usually forms the government.
The Governor General represents the King in Canada and performs duties such as giving royal assent to laws passed by Parliament.
The Prime Minister is the head of government and leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the House of Commons.
A proposed law is called a bill, and it must pass through seven steps to become law: First Reading, Second Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage, Third Reading, the Senate, and finally Royal Assent.
Discover Canada — How Canadians Govern Themselves — The Three Levels of GovernmentAny Member of Parliament can propose a bill; it must be reviewed and passed by the House of Commons, then reviewed and passed by the Senate, before receiving Royal Assent from the Governor General.
Discover Canada — How Canadians Govern Themselves — The Three Levels of GovernmentAnswer all 4 to mark this lesson done.
1. What type of government does Canada have?
2. Who represents the King in Canada?
3. Who is the head of government in Canada?
4. What is the final step a bill must pass through to become law in Canada?
HomelandCanada