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Overview of the Canadian Government Structure

The Canadian government is a federal constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the official head of state, though the powers of the monarchy are exercised in practice by the Governor General. The federal government and provincial/territorial governments coexist under this system. The federal government handles issues of national importance like defense, foreign policy, and currency. Provincial governments are responsible for areas like education and health care. Executive power lies with the Prime Minister and his cabinet. The legislative branch is made up of the Senate and House of Commons, with members of the Commons elected by citizens every four years.

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36 views1 page

Overview of the Canadian Government Structure

The Canadian government is a federal constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II is the official head of state, though the powers of the monarchy are exercised in practice by the Governor General. The federal government and provincial/territorial governments coexist under this system. The federal government handles issues of national importance like defense, foreign policy, and currency. Provincial governments are responsible for areas like education and health care. Executive power lies with the Prime Minister and his cabinet. The legislative branch is made up of the Senate and House of Commons, with members of the Commons elected by citizens every four years.

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tpcrisosto
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Canadian Government

*government: in Canada can be understood as the institutions and/or the


current leadership (people in charge)
The Canadian government is defined as FEDERAL COSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY
by the constitutional act in 1867
By Monarchy, is understood that the king or queen of Canada, currently
QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND has all three powers executive, legislative and
judicial, she is the HEAD OF STATE
This power is legal and practical, but not political

Legal: established by the constitution and law


Practical: enforced by the GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA, currently
DAVID JOHNSON who has Royal Prerogative, that means he has all the
powers given to the queen including the Royal ascent necessary for all
law to have

By Federal, is understood that the province and territorial governments


coexist with a Federal one
The federal government is responsible for issues of national and international
importance, including defense, exterior policies, commerce between provinces,
communications, currency, navigation and laws of criminology and citizenship.
The provincial governments are responsible for education, health, natural
resources, and property, civil rights and municipal government
In the federal Government:
The executive branch is led by the PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE QUEEN that advice
the queen on all matters, this in practical terms is done by the CABINET which
in turn is led by the PRIME MINISTER currently STEPHEN HARPER this
appointment is political (he belongs to the ruling party), he is the HEAD OF
GOVERNTMENT
The legislative branch, the parliament is composed by the Queen, the senate
and the house of commoners

Senate: its members are named by the queen with the advice of the
prime minister and stay in their position until they are 75 years.
House of Commoners: they are elected by the people (all citizens over
18), every four years

In the provincial/territorials Governments


*there are 10 provinces and three territories
The provinces have their autonomy from the constitution while the territories
obtain theirs from the federal government.
Territories,
They are the most sparsely populated areas of Canada and are often refer to as
the north
Provinces,
Each Province has its own legislative assembly equivalent to the Parliament in
the federal government in Ottawa.

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