SLIDE DECK 2:

Government in Canada
Focus questions

• What kind of government do we have?

• How is government structured in Canada?

Canada’s system of government

Canada is a federal state, parliamentary democracy, and

constitutional monarchy.

• Federal state – We have a central government (federal)

and local governments (provincial/territorial).

• Parliamentary democracy – We elect members to

represent us in our federal parliament and provincial
legislatures. The political party with the most elected
representatives forms government.

• Constitutional monarchy - Queen Elizabeth II, as Queen

of Canada, is our head of state. The authority of the
monarch is limited by our constitution.
The levels of government

Canada has several levels of

government and each has its own
group of elected representatives.

• Federal
• Provincial/Territorial
• Municipal/Local
• First Nations, Métis,
and Inuit
Federal government

• Quantity = 1 government for the whole country

• Responsibility = national matters
• Title of the representative = Member of Parliament (MP)
• Number of representatives = 338
• Location = House of Commons in Ottawa
• Government leader = prime minister
Provincial & Territorial Governments

• Amount = 13 governments (one for each province/territory)

• Responsibility = provincial/territorial issues
• Title of the representative
❖ Ontario - Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)
❖ Quebec - Members of the National Assembly (MNA)
❖ NL - Members of the House of Assembly (MHA)
❖ Everywhere else - Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)

• Location = legislative assembly in the capital city

• Government leader = premier
Do you know?

Do you know how the premiers and

prime minister of Canada are chosen?
Choosing government leaders

• At the provincial and federal level, most elected representatives

are part of a political party.
• The political party with the greatest number of elected
representatives usually forms government and their leader
becomes the leader of the government.

2019 Federal
Election Results
The Sovereign

As a constitutional monarchy, Canada’s head of

state is a hereditary sovereign (queen or king) who
reigns in accordance with the Constitution.

The sovereign has representatives in Canada at the

federal and provincial levels. They have similar roles,
such as opening and closing parliament, calling an
election, and reading the throne speech.

• Federal = governor general (GG)

• Provincial = lieutenant governor (LG)
Municipal governments

• Amount = 3,700 governments (one for each municipality)

• Responsibility = Local community matters
• Title of the representative = Councillor or alderman
• Location = City or town hall in the municipality
• Leader = Mayor or reeve
• No sovereign representative
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments

• Many First Nations, Metis and Inuit people have their own
systems of governance.
• These councils or governments share certain responsibilities
with the provincial/territorial or federal government.
Division of powers/responsibilities

• This division of powers is based on the principle of

subsidiarity, meaning that the government level closest to
the issue governs it.
• Outlined in Sections 91–95 of the Constitution Act.
• Municipal governments receive their powers from the
provincial government.
Which level of government?

Is it the responsibility of the federal, provincial/territorial or

municipal government?

• Water supply and • Education • Citizenship and

treatment • Local parks passports

• National defence • Hospitals and

• Criminal law
healthcare
• Natural resources • International • Road maintenance
trade
• Driver’s licensing • Indigenous lands
and highways • Local police and rights
and fire
protection
Government responsibilities

Federal Provincial Municipal

• Citizenship and • Education • Water supply

passports • Hospitals and and treatment
• National defence healthcare • Local parks
• Criminal law • Natural • Road
• Foreign affairs and resources maintenance
international trade • Social services • Local police
• Indigenous lands • Drivers’ licensing • Fire
and rights and highways protection
Shared responsibilities
There are many areas where the levels of government work together
on an issue, such as the environment.
• Federal Government – Enforces the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act.
• Provincial Government – Regulates land use, mining,
manufacturing and harmful emissions.
• Municipal Governments – Responsible for zoning, garbage
disposal, and sewage and water treatment.