Canadian Government

Who’s in Charge?

Canadian Government

• Canada was under the authority for the British constitution until making its own in 1982

• Canada still has strong ties to Great Britain

Describing Canada’s Government

• Three Ways:– Constitutional monarchy– Parliamentary democracy– federation

Constitutional Monarchy• Canada has a constitution,

but its head of state is the Monarch of Great Britain (Queen Elizabeth II)

– Monarch selects a governor-general to represent him/her in Canada

– Mostly a ceremonial position (little power)

Parliamentary Democracy• Has a Legislature (Parliament)

– Three parts• Monarch• Senate• House of Commons

• Parliament makes laws

• Executive branch (Monarch, Prime Minister, and Cabinet) enforce laws– Prime Minister is actual head of Government

• Judicial branch (courts and judges) interprets laws

Federation• Federation = power is divided

between a central government and a number of political subdivisions.

• Canada comprised of ten provinces and three territories

• Central Government handles affairs like national defense and trade

• Local Governments handle local affairs

Citizens Rights

• Over 18 has right to vote

• Canadian Constitution guarantees citizens person freedoms such as:– Freedom of speech– Freedom of religion– Freedom of press– Right to fair trial– Equal rights